Africa-Press – Kenya. Opposition chief Raila Odinga is facing a massive headache in crafting his future political plans with President William Ruto determined to chip away his bases.
The ODM boss has revealed that he is not about to hang his political boots until he realises his dream to liberate the country, signalling his early 2027 political plans.
The President, who narrowly defeated Raila in the August 9 polls, has rolled out what analysts say is a broad-based political strategy to consolidate his support across the country.
Ruto’s church fellowship strategy that will be taking him to strategic Raila bases across the country and his rewards to some of the opposition leader’s rebels are proving to be a nightmare for Raila.
Following his swearing-in on September 13, Ruto has been attending churches across the country, couched as thanksgiving services in a strategic move to counter Raila and unite the country.
Ruto whose eyes, analysts say, are focused on the 2027 reelection, is determined to flip Raila’s support bases to make his second State House bid an easy ride.
“Going by the President’s strategy to engage the people directly through countrywide tours and church services, Raila will definitely find it extremely difficult to position himself for 2027,” warned former West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi.
The Ruto ally said the opposition chief may not match the President’s political strategy “going by Ruto’s master planning’ way ahead of rivals.
“Raila will definitely struggle to consolidate his bases and position himself as the main Ruto opponent in 2022,” Kemosi said.
In what was seen as part of Ruto’s scheme to weaken Raila in his bases, the president has been working with some of the ODM rebels, especially in the Nyanza bedrock.
When he toured Homa Bay last month for a thanksgiving church service, Ruto was received by key known Raila critics from Luo Nyanza and some of those who fell out with ODM.
They include former East African Community Chief administrative secretary Ken Obura, former Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma, ex-Kisumu senator Fred Outa and a host of other leaders from the region.
Ugenya MP David Ochieng’, the leader of Movement for Democracy and Growth David Ochieng, ex-Migori governor Okoth Obado and former Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno are backing Ruto as well.
Recently, some of Raila’s allies from the Kisii region including his long-term ally James Ongwae joined Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza camp, deflating the ODM boss’ influence in the region.
Ongwae who retired after serving as Kisii governor for two terms was a member of Raila’s inner circle and his 2013 presidential campaign manager before resigning to run for governor.
The president said to be very keen to work closely with some of the ODM rebels from the Nyanza region to consolidate his support in the region, threatening to turn the tables on Raila.
“We are committed to working closely with Ruto’s administration for the common good of our people,” Outa told the Star on Monday.
The appointment of Eliud Owalo as the ICT Cabinet Secretary would also offer Ruto another shot in the arm to sustain his offensive in Nyanza as part of his national unity agenda and political plans.
Owalo’s elevation could checkmate Raila, who has been accusing Ruto of dishing out jobs to Mt Kenya and Rift Valley regions while ignoring areas that did not vote for him.
But Ruto has maintained that his cabinet has the face of Kenya and will serve all Kenyans regardless of where they hail from.
Analysts say Raila’s influence ahead of 2022 polls is waning as Ruto aggressively consolidates the country including raiding other strategic Azimio bases like Ukambani.
Ruto recently held a thanksgiving church service in Kitui and revealed that his offer to Wiper boss and regional kingpin Kalonzo Musyoka was rejected.
Lawyer Danstan Omari has said Raila will have a tough time ahead if he plans to run in the 2027 polls.
“I don’t think Raila Odinga will have a big say in 2027 and that is why we have seen Kalonzo Musyoka trying to galvanize his support base,” Omari said
The lawyer noted that Raila had tested the waters five times but failed to clinch the presidential seat.
“It is time a young person takes over to challenge William Ruto,” Omari said.
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