It is now months since the National Super Alliance (NASA) became a semi-amorphous political movement. That is during the ratification of instruments establishing it. However, what appears to be a stand-off on their choice of the presidential candidate has ruined them greatly.
Away from that, NASA started losing the moment they killed the huge euphoria they had started building in the Kenyan political scene. A good political movement could not allow the temperatures to cool as they have.
Apparently, very few people remember the coalition's seven-point agenda as it was outlined during the ratification. Very few people also believe in NASA as a movement and not because their respective tribal kings are there. A good way to cure effects of looming walk-outs would have been making Kenyans support the movement such that in case their favourite candidate walks out, they have a reason not to move with him.
The flagbearer puzzle in NASA has exposed NASA chiefs as men being controlled by personal interests instead of the common good for Kenyans. The coalition was to name it's flag bearer somewhere in March, what followed was chest-thumping and demands from various players specifically the Orange Democratic Movement and WIPER Party who were crudely vouching for their chiefs through the tussle over the infamous "2013 MOU". The said date in March passed with a perspective built in the minds of Kenyans about Stephen Kalonzo and Raila Odinga.
The experts continued with their work and came up with the unseen proposed sharing formula which saw the Mudavadi camp go mad after it was intimated that a position of "Chief Minister" was proposed for him. Another stance showing how the remaining principal will be labelled by Kenyans as selfish. The Mombasa retreat went without a substantive conclusion as it was reported that the chiefs once again failed to reach a consensus.
Of course, NASA may beat the IEBC deadline by naming their flagbearer soon. The big challenge is, after party primaries the various candidates will take the show with little dominance of the presidential contest. Of course, Jubilee has been clever enough to do rounds ahead of the primaries, they might have an easy task afterwards.
Even if NASA were to enjoy marketing from various candidates of the parties forming the coalition it would be of little help as Kenyans have not clearly internalised their agenda. The coming period is a period where noise and senseless things will dominate. They may have no one listening to them.
In a nutshell, NASA at the formation was a vibrant idea which would have posed a challenge to Jubilee but the chance has been wasted away. What remains with them is walk-outs rendering early and direct victory to their opponents; or fronting of best or worst of their lineup with less time for Kenyans to embrace it.
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