Before their victory dance, NASA must be wary of bumps ahead

NASA Co- Principals Isac Ruto (left),Musalia Mudavadi , Raila Odinga, Kalonzo MUsyoka and Moses Wetangula

I must confess that I was one of the NASA unity skeptics. This skepticism was not informed by any political partisanship but purely because the law and politics of the day militated against it. While some would love to scoff and pour cold water on the alliance, I believe it showed admirable political maturity, informed of course by pragmatism, particularly for the two junior but necessary principals, Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi to sign against NASA’s dotted line. I leave out Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto because unlike the others, he has nothing to lose whichever way the election goes. If NASA wins, he receives enormous political dividend for joining the Pentagon and giving NASA better “national” optics. If NASA loses, he continues his established role as a thorn in Jubilee’s flesh. I leave out Moses Wetang’ula because he had no option but to take whatever NASA offered.

For many months, any watcher of the political terrain knew the ticket would go to Raila Odinga. Such a ticket would inevitably require Kalonzo as Deputy to ensure an East-West alliance. The question always was, what would be the reaction by Kalonzo once this reality crystalised? Many assumed Musyoka would “left” killing the NASA dream at childbirth. Kalonzo’s willingness to shelve his presidential ambitions, probably for all time, is a testament to his growth as a political pragmatist.

NASA owes a lot to the man from Tseikuru for if he had played hardball, NASA would be but a dream. The best part of the political theatre was that the team managed to keep the Jubilee side gleeful about the inevitable break up, thereby enabling NASA to present what was a fairly predictable line up to the country as Breaking News! Because I am a believer in the need for strong oppositions I celebrate the NASA alliance. For the avoidance of doubt, I am not assuming NASA will be the opposition, but recognising that whoever wins the ticket, they will have a fairly strong opposition. Before NASA starts planning the victory parades, there are several bumps along the way that they must beware.

Firstly, NASA has a huge job of keeping the various constituencies that would ensure its win enthusiastic.

While this is not a big deal for Raila’s core constituency, which includes Mudavadi’s principal constituency, the Kalonzo/ Wetang’ula voters will require a lot more to keep them enthused; these two have held the positions NASA gave them in previous regimes. Because no one doubts that this election will be won largely by turn out, failure to keep these two constituencies enthused will cost NASA big.

Resist the temptation

Secondly, NASA must resist the temptation of demonising central Kenya; it needs to ban the kind of ethnic bilge that emanated from Wetangula’s mouth during the launch. Quite apart from its unfortunate tenor, if there is anything that will guarantee a 100 per cent turn out in Gema and its diaspora, it is such talk.

Thirdly NASA must present a credible platform that is not just about being anti-Jubilee. Truth be told anything that NASA leaders attack Jubilee about finds expression in the NASA line up, whether it be corruption, ineptitude or tribalism. The difference in the two tickets has to be about credible platforms.

Finally, NASA must undertake to accept the results if they are reasonably free and fair, based on an assessment, not by NASA but independent parties. While I am on this advisory mode I must caution Jubilee that it can only dismiss NASA at its peril; history is unkind to those who underestimate their opponents. Finally to Kenyan voters.

This week I got involved in an ugly altercation with voters in one of the Rift Valley constituencies as I went to assist one of my many Kalenjin friends to seek votes. I will repeat what I said to those dear Kenyans. The elections are actually not that serious to deserve a loss of life or limb. There will still be life after the politicians leave us.

 The writer is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. [email protected]