What Raila thinks of Gideon Moi – Weekly Citizen

Even as Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga embark on national tours to preach development and national cohesion, they are in a dilemma on the best formula to beat William Ruto in the 2022 presidential race.

Raila is firm that accelerating the referendum push is the best option for them as the collateral damage from the plebiscite will be Ruto.

Moi

The DP has been dismissing calls for expansion of the executive as idle talk, arguing he can only support a referendum that brings tangible benefits to the common man and not creating seats for political leaders.

The ODM leader, according to highly placed sources, is wary of fielding Baringo senator Gideon Moi as their preferred presidential candidate under the present constitutional setup arguing the move will boomerang on them.

Raila has reportedly told his alies that if he does not stand for the presidency in 2022, and they go ahead to field Gideon, Ruto is likely to carry the day owing to his immense popularity at the grassroots.

Uhuru is under pressure from former president Daniel arap Moi and his family to back Gideon for the presidency once his term ends. The assurance was also made by his mother, Mama Ngina Kenyatta ahead of the 2017 general election when Kanu agreed to support Uhuru for the presidency.

Raila strategists believe that only constitutional changes to expand the executive can guarantee success to the man he and Uhuru will back.

The strategists explored Gideon, Musalia Mudavadi and Kalonzo Musyoka chances of beating Ruto in the presidential race in the current constitutional setup and arrived at the conclusion that none can beat the former Eldoret North MP.

It rated Kalonzo’s and Mudavadi chances higher than Gideon, who it described as mince meat for the DP even in his Kalenjin bedrock.

According to sources, Gideon aware of his limitation of facing voters directly to win presidency is pushing for a parliamentary system of government like the one in South Africa where the president is not elected directly by voters but wins by virtue of having the majority party. In South Africa, the number of votes each party receives in the national election determines how many representatives the parties have in the 400-seat legislature. The members of parliament then elect the president.

It is this system of government that Raila has sold to the president and to actualise the plan, the two leaders have reportedly agreed to push for the referendum to be held before the 2022 polls.

Mudavadi

But they must first bring on board the MPs in their strongholds to rally the voters behind them.

This is what informed the president’s diatribe on Ruto’s Tangatanga squad where he branded them as criminals busy politicking instead of focusing on development.

Uhuru read the riot act right in Ruto’s presence and vowed to crush his detractors trying to derail his supposed unity and progress agenda, as the DP watched with wry smiles and frowns as his boss tore into his Tangatanga battalion in a ferocious assault but in a frustrated fashion.

According to sources, the president is determined to whip the MPs in his backyard to rally behind him and Raila in the push for the plebiscite which will ensure their line-up carries the day in 2022. The problem however is that the voters are not going with Uhuru after what they say is zero gain from his presidency something that the MPs being close to the ground know and so are feeling emboldened.

On his part, Raila, who has avoided talking of the 2022 elections, is hoping the referendum will result in the formation of a new political outfit that will bring together the president and likeinterested political leaders ahead of the elections.

Wandayi

He has directed his troops to hold simultaneous rallies in support of a referendum and laying the groundwork for the expected political alliance with Uhuru.

The planned series of political rallies by the ODM leader and his allies in his Nyanza stronghold is part of the strategy, with party insiders saying Raila has instructed the area MPs to rally the region for a looming referendum and the political alliance with the president.

The leaders have also been told that a referendum to expand the executive, by creating prime minister and two deputies, is “inevitable” thus have been instructed to lay groundwork for the push to change the constitution.

Nominated MP Maina Kamanda and former MP Kabando wa Kabando – all allied to Uhuru – have in the recent past publicly hinted at a possible alliance for 2022 that will see Uhuru and Raila in one political party against Ruto.

These latest disclosures further give credence to Uhuru’s ally David Murathe and Raila’s ally and Siaya senator James Orengo’s earlier remarks that an alliance is in the offing ahead of 2022 general election.

According to Raila, Kalonzo, Mudavadi and Gideon will be part of that formation.

Some of Raila’s allies have been combining forces with Kieleweke MPs allied to Uhuru in campaigns in Mt Kenya region.

They include Homa Bay woman representative Gladys Wanga, John Mbadi, Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, Jared Okello (Nyando) among other politicians opposed to Ruto.

Insiders add that Raila wants Gideon accommodated either as a deputy president or deputy prime minister in the new arrangement to cater for the interests of the Moi and Kenyatta families.

Gideon toured Homa Bay last year where leaders present floated the idea of Raila-Gideon presidential ticket.

Area senator Moses Kajwang’ dropped the bombshell when he said Uhuru should hand over to leaders who have invested in values and not raw accumulation of shillings. This as if Raila and Gideon accumulate cowrie shells.

The senator described Raila and Gideon ticket as the most ideal saying the two possessed the most ideal leadership qualities from the pack of those who have offered to lead the country.

“When we talk about Raila or Gideon taking over power it is not about dynasties but capability. Gideon is so humble it is hard to imagine he is son to a former president. He has won many hearts,” phariseed the senator to his fellow senator.

“I pray that Uhuru hands over power to Raila and Gideon,” he added, amid applause at Wikondiek SDA Church in Karachuonyo, where Gideon presided over a fundsdrive.

Gideon, the Kanu national chairman faulted those issuing ultimatums ahead of the proposed constitutional referendum saying the question of the referendum was a forgone conclusion.

Two weeks ago, Kalonzo stated that retired Moi had asked him to work with his son, Gideon, when he visited him following death of Jonathan Moi.

Speaking at a fundraiser in Kitui Muthale parish also attended by the Baringo senator Kalonzo said that he is ready to work with Gideon and bring positive change to Kenya. Speaking at a fundraiser in Kitui Muthale parish also attended by the Baringo senator Kalonzo said that he is ready to work with Gideon and bring positive change to Kenya.

In what could be seen as political realignments as political temperatures continue to rise, Kalonzo’s sentiments suggest a possible Wiper- Kanu alliance.