By BERNARD NAMUNANE bnamunane@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, December 27 2011 at 22:30
Posted Tuesday, December 27 2011 at 22:30
Many of the presidential hopefuls spent the Christmas holiday putting final touches on their preparations for next year’s campaigns.
The 2012 presidential race is crowded, attracting more candidates than any other election since the re-introduction of multiparty politics in 1992.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who starts the race in pole position by virtue of being the contender leading the biggest party, has also made some radical changes.
Out goes the old Orange Democratic Movement party slogan “Chungwa Moja Maisha Bora” and in comes a new slogan, “Change We Need”.
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, another candidate who is buoyed by the trappings of incumbency, has gone a step further and renamed his party, Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya. It is now called Wiper Democratic Movement.
Other strong contenders are Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Internal Security minister George Saitoti and MPs William Ruto (Eldoret North) and Martha Karua (Gichugu).
Also in the race are Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, assistant minister Peter Kenneth, Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula, former Cabinet minister Raphael Tuju, MPs Mutava Musyimi (Gachoka), Eugene Wamalwa (Saboti), and Education permanent secretary James ole Kiyiapi.
The aspirants are spending heavily, buying helicopters, setting up campaign secretariats, hiring staff at county levels and retaining campaign experts and PR gurus to clean up their image.
Mr Odinga, vying for the presidency for a third time, has set up four separate offices in Nairobi with former Kenya Ports Authority chief Brown Ondego leading the fundraising team.
He is yet to appoint a person to lead his main secretariat and double up as the campaign manager.
The appointment of lawyer Paul Mwangi as his legal adviser has been interpreted to mean that the PM wants his core campaign team to reflect the face of Kenya. (READ: Lawyer Mwangi appointed to replace Miguna)
Sources said the secretariats will be led by professionals and business people.
Several lobbies such as Friends of Raila, ODM Network Team, ODM Youth for 2012 and ODM Women Congress have joined his campaign.
A group of professionals from the Rift Valley has been formed to counter the anti-Raila wave in the region, and a coordinator is expected to head his campaigns in the diaspora.
Campaign website
When you log onto his campaign website, www.railaforpresident2012.com, you will be hit by the ‘Change is Coming’ message and hip-hop songs by local artistes, including Kigeugeu by Jaquar.
Mr Kenyatta, who recently regained control of Kanu, wants to take a second stab at the presidency after losing to President Kibaki in 2002.
He argues that he is not a tribalist and wants Kenyans to elect a ‘servant leader’. He has a website, www.mykalonzomusyoka.com and several Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Mr Odinga has also set up several Twitter and Facebook accounts to woo voters on the social media.
Mr Musyoka has, on more than one occasion, declared that the 2012 presidential race is between him and Mr Odinga.
The party has two secretariats, one at the headquarters in Wiper House, Kileleshwa and another in Lavington.
Prof Marete Marangu leads the main secretariat, while Brig (rtd) Henry Rop is at Wiper House.
He has also brought on board lawyer Donald Kipkorir and Nominated MPs Ahmed Affey and Shakila Abdalla to win Muslim votes. Mr Musyoka also enjoys the backing of prominent parastatal heads.
“The secretariats are only on provisional basis since the Vice-President is an active member of the PNU Alliance,” said his spokesman, Mr Kaplich Barsito.
Mr Musyoka, who will be making the second attempt at the presidency, has opened offices in the United Kingdom to lead the hunt for the diaspora vote.
Mr Kenyatta, who recently regained control of Kanu, wants to take a second stab at the presidency after losing to President Kibaki in 2002.
Also a member of the G7 Alliance, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance minister has picked some of the people who led President Kibaki’s re-election in 2007.
Top business people
His main secretariat is based at Chancery House, but he is yet to appoint the head. Mr Kenyatta has two other campaign offices, one in Lavington and the other at the UK Centre in the city.
Those working closely on his campaign include State House political advisor Nancy Gitau, former MPs Justin Muturi and David Murathe, Mr Alfred Gitonga and Mr Kenyatta’s long time personal assistant, Njee Muturi. Top business people and parastatal heads are also coalescing around Mr Kenyatta.
Mr Kenyatta has a chopper at his disposal, has extensive links with Kenyans in the diaspora and runs a website, www.uhuru.co.ke.
His aides are also active on the social media, often releasing statements on Twitter and Facebook.
Mr Kenneth is said to have acquired a second helicopter and recently launched his manifesto for the presidency.
Even though seen as outsiders, Mr Tuju and Mr Kenneth have covered a lot of ground in their bids for the presidency. Mr Tuju has two secretariats, runs www.raphaeltuju.com and is active on Twitter and Facebook.
Mr Ruto, who will be vying for the presidency for the first time, has opened a secretariat in Kileleshwa headed by Mr Sande Oyolo and another office for his party, the United Democratic Movement (UDM).
He has a think-tank comprising university lecturers and business people managing all aspects of his campaigns, from raising funds to preparing a manifesto.
“I am contesting the presidency not because I want power, but because I feel that as a person who has at one time walked to school barefoot, I understand problems facing Kenyans from all walks. Kenyans require leaders who can deliver them from poverty,” he said.
He has ordered a helicopter, runs www.williamsamoeiruto.co.ke, is active on Twitter and Facebook and has a dedicated short text message number, 7777, for interacting with supporters.
But like Mr Kenyatta, his push for the house on the hill seems to be held back by the pending case at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Ms Karua (Narc Kenya) and Prof Saitoti (PNU) have established their secretariats in Kilimani and Lavington, respectively.
Ms Karua runs www.marthakarua.wetpaint.com and launched her presidential bid this year. She is the most active aspirant on Twitter and Facebook.
Mr Kenneth is said to have acquired a second helicopter and recently launched his manifesto for the presidency.
He runs www.peterkenneth.com and has revived Kenya National Congress (KNC) as his vehicle to State House.
“We are actually shopping for a running mate. I cannot be somebody else’s running mate.
“There has never been any discussion with any presidential aspirant. Kenya needs ability, vision and energy, not a name or fame,” he says.
He is also setting up party offices in Lavington, and is recruiting members.
“We will focus on fewer things that have more impact on the economy. Most of my campaigns will be based on town hall meetings,” he says.
Prof Kiyiapi has been criss-crossing the country seeking support, but is the only aspirant without a party.
Perhaps he will disclose his political network when he steps down as Education PS and hits the ground running.
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