Kenya:War of words escalate in the crumbling NASA

By Samuel Ouma

NASA Principals Moses Wetangula, Kalonzo Musyoka, Raila Odinga and Musalia Mudavadi at a rally in Kakamega on Saturday, June 3, 2017.Pic credit Star Kenya

Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement party (ODM) has rebuffed the claims by Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula that National Super Alliance coalition (NASA) is a moribund organization.

Wetangula, one of the co-principals,who is also the Ford Kenya Party leader on Monday said the coalition is dead accusing Odinga for betrayal that has led to collapse of the outfit. He announced the plans to revive his party and look for new partners for realignment ahead of 2022 polls.

“NASA is a moribund organization that cannot be salvaged. It is history. I have suffered the pain of betrayal by NASA presidential candidate,” he said.

ODM has dared the Ford Kenya party leader to leave NASA and his members to relinquish the seats they hold in the National Assembly and Senate House courtesy of the coalition’s strength in the two houses. ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna asked Wetangula to write to Registrar of Political parties to withdraw Ford Kenya from NASA.

He termed Wetangula as a coward who cannot survive on his own. He said “He has time and again said NASA is dead but why doesn’t he send his official communication to the Registrar of Political parties? What we know is that NASA died after the January 30 when the cowards could not turn up for the occasion, so seeing him bringing the issue each time he speaks is a clear indication that he cannot survive on his own”.

Odinga’s effort to revamp the crumbling outfit was rejected by the two other principals; Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Wiper counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka who have shifted their focus on strengthening their individual vehicles. Mudavadi allies have urged the former Sabatia Member of Parliament to quit NASA in order to realize his presidential ambition.

The ANC leader in July 14, 2018 declared his presidential interest saying he has what it takes to lead Kenyans. Addressing media during his Kwale County tour, he rubbished the information circulating on media that he will partner with the Deputy President William Ruto.

Mr. Musyoka advisors have also told him off to desist the coalition to rebrand himself for the State House race. Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana urged the former deputy president to move on from Odinga’s dominating moribund outfit and forget about the agreement he entered into with him prior to 2013 General elections.

The alleged famous outfit plunged into disagreement when Wetangula, Mudavadi and Musyoka skipped the January 30 swearing-in of Odinga as the people’s president following the bungled presidential elections. Division widened further when Odinga signed a pact deal with President Kenyatta without consulting them.

Mr. Wetangula has engaged in verbal exchange with the ODM since the senators stripped him off the minority leader position and replaced him with Raila’s ally, James Orengo.