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.