With less than ten days to the August 9 elections, bigwigs across the political divide are doing everything possible to survive the post election life.
Quite a good number of seasoned politicians are doing everything possible to ensure their respective sides win to help them remain relevant against the emerging young vibrant leaders.
Wiper Party’s Kalonzo Musyoka,Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi lead the pack of leaders whose political careers heavily depend on the outcome of the elections.Others are Raila Odinga’s running mate Martha Karua,William Ruto’s running mate Rigathi Gachagua and several second term governors.
A win for Raila Odinga will serve a political lifeline to the political ambitions of Kalonzo Musyoka who for the third time in a row sacrificed his presidential bid albeit months-long negotiations.He has been promised the Chief Minister position should Raila win- a position equaled to the Prime Minister position.
On Wednesday,July 27,Kalonzo called on Ukambani leaders to work hard in consolidating the regions in Raila’s favour.
He said he was committed to campaigning for Raila so that Azimio’s presidential candidate wins in the forthcoming polls.
“I am campaigning for Raila to become the fifth President of the Republic of Kenya, please help me support Baba. We will be having our final political rally with Raila at Mulu Mutisya Grounds in Machakos County this Friday,” Kalonzo said.
Majority of Wiper supporters believe that Kalonzo stands a better chance of taking over from Raila Odinga because of the relationship the two have had since 2013.
Kalonzo vied for the Presidency in 2007,coming third after the late President Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga respectively.
The same can be said of ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi who will have his fingers crossed once the counting process begins.
Mudavadi is facing a lot of battles to persuade the Western Kenya electorate to unanimously vote for the Kenya Kwanza Presidential candidate William Ruto.His biggest headache is the fact that majority of leaders in the region are still aligned to Raila Odinga with Kakamega Governor Cabinet Secretary Eugine Wamalwa leading the onslaught.
COTU Secretary general Francis Atwoli who is a friend-turned foe to Mudavadi is also a thorn in the flesh as far as his future presidential ambitions are concerned.
To persuade the Luhya voters.Mudavadi has constantly been promising them that he will run government affairs in Kenya Kwanza if they clinch power after August polls.
While speaking in Sabatia, Vihiga county during a campaign trail , he said that he is poised to become the third most powerful person.
Mudavadi also called on the electorates to vote for the ANC candidate for the governor position.
“If you won’t have a governor who is in Kenya Kwanza, how many times will that governor have to call in order to reach the president?” Mudavadi asked.
“My responsibilities in the government will be to run state affairs. I’m asking, “you want me to control the affairs and you have not elected my people?”
The respective running mates to the Presidential candidates are also grappling with the dilemma of hat will become of them should their side lose.Both of them;- Martha Karua and Rigathi Gachagua and Martha Karua come from the vote rich Mount Kenya which means a lot is at stake on the ballot.
A win for Raila Odinga will automatically elevate the political stature of Martha Karua in Central Kenya and possibly place her as a possible favorite to succeed Mr.Odinga in the future.This will also means her political career that was almost washed under the drains has successfully come back to life.
Political observers believe that President Uhuru Kenyatta wants Karua to take over as the official Mt Kenya leader after he retires.
In her campaigns, she has asked and urged Kenyans to trust Raila Odinga to preside over a corrupt-free government if elected the next occupants of Statehouse Nairobi.
While acknowledging that runaway corruption is the biggest problem facing the country, Karua said the Azimio-led government will be watching over Kenya’s resources relentlessly, while ensuring that what is meant to benefit all the citizens doesn’t end up in the pockets of a few.
Ruto’s running mate Rigathi Gachagua is also salivating at the prospect of taking over as the Mount Kenya kingpin.
Rigathi has camped in the Mountain ever since being nominated to the position and has not shied away from taking President Uhuru Kenyatta and the fist family head on.
Victory for William Ruto will present a rare opportunity for Rigathi to reshape his political career in the history books of Kenya.However, defeat could render him helpless and throw him in the cold perhaps for good.
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