Musalia Mudavadi should be Raila Odinga's running mate

Raila Odinga will be the CORD presidential candidate in the 2017 polls. No one else in the coalition is as eminently qualified to take on incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta as Mr Raila.

The real headache for CORD is the person who can bring credibility to the team and complement Mr Raila as running mate.

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka looks rather out of place in the Opposition. He is used to being in Government and is least likely to stay in CORD unless he is made the presidential candidate.

This leaves Raila with FORD-K leader Moses Wetang'ula. The Bungoma Senator has been angling for a key role within the coalition.

Yet his own presidential launch in the Luhya heartland of Kakamega was met with strong resistance by Raila's supporters. For a party that prides itself on being the champion of reforms, the fight against corruption and good governance, Wetang'ula's reform credentials are very thin and lacklustre.

The only Luhya leader who can inject life into Raila's candidature is Musalia Mudavadi. Mr Mudavadi is considered a safe bet by the ruling class and he remains one of the most viable likely State House occupants.