Wiper Patriotic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka once again finds himself in uncertain political waters. As he awaits a possible endorsement by his colleagues in the United Opposition, he should be reminded of how, in the past, he had appeared closer to such overtures only for his chances to dissipate in the high-stakes political deal rooms.
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Though well known, Kalonzo has not marketed himself as a go-getter and aggressive leader ready to navigate the murky national political terrain.
Looking at the opposition leaders, one sees a group that is incoherent in their messaging, self-seeking and exhibiting a gross grasp of the real challenges power holders grapple with daily. Their pontification is the usual theatrics that win the opposition quick but unsustainable support from gullible voters who have no time to interrogate the nice words.
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, seen as the face of the opposition, is busy building a brand around himself and his party. It's clear he wants to dictate who becomes the opposition flag-bearer if it comes to that. That also allows him to skew the attendant power-sharing arrangement in his favour.
The Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi brigade is riding on the support of a generation that is going to vote for the first time as well as the forlorn belief that Kenyans are so angry with this government they would vote in anybody to replace President Ruto. The rosy pictures they are painting to Kenyans have a very short lifespan.
Come next year, many of what they say today will have fallen apart because lies do not last.
Rigathi cheekily says there is no hurry in naming the candidate but is working overdrive to strengthen his party, complete with far-reaching fundraising campaigns.
Rigathi's scheme seems to revolve around strengthening his party for a future political deal. Sifuna is building a brand around his name.
As illusions about power go to their heads, both might reach a point where they feel sufficiently capable of clinching power on their own. That leaves Kalonzo begging for an endorsement which is proving elusive by the day.
Economic and political analyst
