NASA wave will sweep Jubilee out of power, say opposition leaders

FROM LEFT: Busia governor Sospeter Ojaamong, Judith Ojaamong, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, Siaya Senator James Orengo and Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya during the burial of the son of Funyula MP Dr Paul Otwoma in Busia. National Super Alliance (NASA) is unstoppable, Opposition leaders have said. (PHOTO: BENJAMIN SAKWA/ STANDARD)

Opposition leaders have vowed to weave together a strong alliance to defeat Jubilee at the ballot in 2017. Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi and leaders from CORD assured that they will not back down on their determination to form the National Super Alliance (NASA).

“2017 will be the year when things will change. We are talking and NASA is growing. We will use it to get rid of Jubilee and stop its leaders from stealing Kenyan money. We will use NASA to catch the thieves,” said Mudavadi.

ODM deputy party leader and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Siaya Senator James Orengo said CORD was in talks with Mudavadi and other opposition leaders to form the alliance.National Super Alliance (NASA) is unstoppable, Opposition leaders have said. Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi and CORD politicians have declared that they will not back down on their pledge to form the political alliance to unseat Jubilee.

“2017 will be the year that things will change. We are talking and NASA is growing. We use it to vote out Jubilee,”  said Mudavadi.

Speaking during yesterday’s funeral  service at Bunandi primary school where  thousands of mourners had thronged to bid farewell to Malcom  Mwanga,  Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Siaya County Senator James Orengo said CORD was currently holding talks with Mudavadi and other Opposition leaders over formation of the alliance.

“Mudavadi, I am asking you to please join forces with all like-minded people so that we can vote out Jubilee,” said Orengo, who noted that the ruling establishment had demonstrated that it was unable to tackle corruption after recent reports indicated that Sh5 billion had been stolen at the Ministry of Health.

Oparanya, who is the ODM deputy party leader,  said the Opposition was ready for elections, but noted that they must be free and fair.

Resources plunder

 The leaders condoled Funyula MP Paul Otuoma over the death of Malcolm, his eldest son,  who died last week at Nairobi Hospital after a short illness.

Mudavadi said Jubilee must be voted out to stop the plunder of State resources.

“Anybody who will be outside NASA will be part of Jubilee. They are the people we want to eject from office because they are stealing from Kenyans,” Mudavadi noted.

Orengo said the Opposition could boycott 2017 elections if the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) cannot guarantee that it will be free and fair.

The Senator said that  the IEBC had not demonstrated that it could handle concerns raised by the Opposition.

“We either have proper elections or no elections at all,” he told mourners. 

Orengo asked churches to reject donations from politicians who had stolen  State funds, even as he asked other leaders to team up with CORD in the next elections.

“I respect Mudavadi and wish to ask him to join us because we are ready to go,” said Oparanya.

Bad weather

Mourners braved the heavy showers to attend the funeral  in anticipation that President Uhuru Kenyatta and CORD leader Raila Odinga would attend.  However, the two were unable to attend the funeral owing to bad weather.

Ford–Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula was also unable to attend because he is away in China.

Among those present were Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong’ and the area’s  Senator Amos Wako, who were joined by   MPs Mary Emase (Teso South), Godfrey Odanga (Matayos), Alfred Agoi (Sabatia), Andrew Toboso (Butere), John Bunyasi (Nambale), Alago Oluoch (Kisumu West), Joseph Kiuna (Njoro), Patrick Makau (Mavoko) and Dr Patrick Musimbara (Kibwezi).

Others in attendance were Fred Outa (Nyando), David Ochieng (Ugenya), Michael Onyura (Butula), Vihiga women rep Dorcas Kedogo and nominated MP Patrick Wangamati.

Supreme Court Judge Smokin Wanjala and a host of dignitaries from Western Kenya also attended the burial.