Kenya’s main opposition coalition — National Super Alliance — has finally settled on a presidential flag bearer widely expected to be former prime minister Raila Odinga, even as chaos and confusion continue to mar the ongoing political party primaries.

The Orange Democratic Movement on Friday appeared to pre-empt the anticipated Nasa announcement this week when it issued notice for a National Delegates Conference whose main agenda will be nomination of its presidential candidate.

That conference is set for May 4, a week after the Nasa announcement, suggesting that the convention will endorse the candidate picked by Nasa or chart a new course if the alliance’s decision is not to their liking.

Nasa on Thursday formed its top organ — the Pentagon — which brings together the five principals — Mr Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, Isaac Ruto and Moses Wetang’ula — who are battling to become the flag bearer, ahead of the D-day this week.

Other parties in the coalition are Wiper Democratic Movement, Ford Kenya, Amani National Congress and Chama cha Mashinani.

At the same time, there are major falling outs within ODM and the Jubilee Party over violence and claims of rigging in the ongoing political party primaries, which end on April 26.ODM and JP, which attracted the highest number of aspirants, for the five elective positions have been forced to cancel nomination results or postpone the exercise altogether in some counties.

High stakes in some counties have triggered violence and malpractice leading to postponement of the exercise to reduce tension.

Jubilee cancelled the entire exercise and is set to announce new dates. It has earlier postponed primaries in Narok, Kajiado, Kericho, Bomet, Baringo, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Embu, Nakuru and Trans Nzoia counties on the first day citing violence and lack of voting materials.

As all the parties grapple with the nomination nightmare, the clock is also ticking away for nominations to be concluded before April 26. This leaves parties with only four days to deal with the mess and submit the names of candidates to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.   

ODM has also postponed the polls and cancelled results in some counties due to violence and the logistical nightmare that has given the party sleepless nights since the exercise began on April 14.

The Orange party has already lost Dr Paul Otuoma who was fighting for the party ticket for the Busia gubernatorial seat. There is also a falling out within the leadership of Jubilee in the North Rift, Eastern and Western following flawed nominations that have left many aspirants angry.

Already, aspirants are seeking alternative parties to contest from and most of them are setting their sights on Kanu, Nasa and Chama cha Mashinani.

Unsatisfied Jubilee aspirants are pointing an accusing finger at President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto saying they are not living up to their promise of democratic and transparent elections.

However, Jubilee Party secretary general Raphael Tuju was quick to state that the confusion was caused by logistical challenges.

In Uasin Gishu, Governor John Mandago accused Mr  Ruto of  planning to rig him out. Disgruntled Jubilee aspirants — Mr Mandago, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, and Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter also accused Mr Ruto’s aides and other top Jubilee leaders of attempting to rig in unnamed preferred candidates.

“Uasin Gishu voters will not accept imposed leadership; we call for the nominations to be postponed until the party is ready give leaders and voters free and transparent nominations,” said Mr Mandago.

The Jubilee nominations have been marred by protests and complaints about poor preparations leading to some aspirants unilaterally declaring postponement of the nominations without the authority of party headquarters.

In Nandi, there was shortage of papers in all the six constituencies, and in Kiambu, ballot papers were not dispatched on time and party registers were missing.
President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto have denied interfering with the nominations and existence of ‘preferred candidates’.