Running mate burden strains Raila shoulders

By Oscar Obonyo

Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Raila Odinga narrowly survived walking into the net of his Orange party chairman Henry Kosgey.

Supporters of the reinstated Industrialisation minister had demanded that Raila declares Kosgey his presidential running mate.

Although the PM cleverly skirted around the issue, his close shave during the thanks giving function for the Tinderet MP in Kapsabet, is a clear pointer to Raila’s headache over the running mate question.   

With Kosgey having been cleared of misuse of office charges locally and crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court, it was largely anticipated Raila would name the minister his second in command.     

While Kosgey, who enjoys support of most party officials, is perhaps still considered the best bet, the timing might not have been right.

Sensitive matter

The Standard On Sunday has reliably established the PM does not want to seal this matter just as yet as it would most likely kill off enthusiasm amongst other hopefuls including those who the party is wooing.

Concerned about the competing interests and possible emergency of political rifts, the PM understandably called for an urgent review meeting on Monday. Although he did not attend the meeting called for senior party functionaries, his key allies intimated at Raila’s growing concern with regard to the heat over the running mate slot.

“His wish is that members should focus more on matters that unite the party instead of engaging in political battles at lower levels, which could divide and dissuade us from the prime goal – winning next year’s elections,” a source divulged to The Standard On Sunday.  

The PM, who is reliably fishing “far and wide”, does not wish to be further boxed within the ODM circles. Besides making overtures to a senior Central Kenya politician, Raila recently announced he would be teaming up with Ford Kenya in next year’s polls. Trade Minister Moses Wetangula and Labour Minister John Munyes, who are the party’s national Chairman and Secretary General, are yet to react to the contrary.       

Within ODM, quiet tension between Kosgey and Cabinet colleague Sally Kosgei are said to have peaked in the run up to the Tinderet MP’s thanks giving function,. Up until he was cleared of the local courts and The Hague, the name of the Agriculture minister was on the lips of many as a possible Raila running mate.

Besides her international connections, having served as Kenyan envoy in key stations including the UK, those fronting for the Aldai MP further point to a national constituency of women voters.             

Those in favour of Kosgey, on the other hand, mention his political experience and the fact that he is now the second most senior party official after Raila, following Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi’s exit from ODM.

But there is a growing feeling among some party bigwigs that the running mate burden should be taken off the PM’s shoulders. Those who hold this view, including Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Paul Otuoma say that “such a delicate decision” should be left to party members. 

Right pair

“As members and individuals who will be offering ourselves for leadership positions, it is in our interest that we get the right pair for the presidency. This is a weighty matter that will eventually reflect on the overall performance of ODM at the polls,” says the minister.

Besides, the Funyula MP says allowing identification of presidential and running mate flag bearers through party mechanisms will minimise possible falling out and will allow members to own the process.

“And lest we forget, all positions including these top two are up for grabs. This follows our party’s decision to alter a clause that initially stipulated that the party leader shall be automatic presidential candidate,” says Otuoma.

Although focus has been on presidential aspirants, the position of running mate is equally crucial and depending on how appropriate a combination of the two is, it can ruin or bolster a presidential bid. This partly explains why most aspirants have adopted a wait-and-see approach. Eldoret North MP William Ruto is the sole politician to have made the mistake of making known his preferred running too early.

And when he did so, his campaigns experienced a sudden lull. In fact, Environment Minister Ali Chirau Mwakwere whom Ruto had named, turned down the offer opting instead for the Senate seat. A further plea to Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi met a similar reaction.

President Kibaki was a lot smarter in 2007 when he went to the poll without a clear partner. The ploy seemed to work as it kept all his allies committed to the campaign. Luckily for him, the old Constitution did not demand of him to name a running mate.

Little cheers

In the meantime, Joint Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo talks of the political risks of a presidential hopeful naming his running mate well in advance. Citing the instance between Raila and Mudavadi before the latter’s exit, Midiwo says there was little excitement and activity within ODM. 

“Those within had little hope for upward mobility and it was not even possible to make overtures to non-ODM politicians. But Mudavadi’s exit has made Raila a very attractive partner,” says Midiwo.       

Mudavadi’s exit has particularly elicited competition between Kosgey and Roads Minister Franklin Bett. Although Sally Kosgei is also said to be keen on the running mate slot, former Eldoret South MP David Koros claims the Agriculture minister is yet to publicly make known her interest.   

Koros further attributes the competition amongst the Rift Valley legislators to forces within the region allied to a rival political party. But denying existence of bad blood amongst his Cabinet colleagues, Otuoma considers the lobbying as “healthy for democracy.