WHY RAILA IS THE MOST PREFERRED NASA FLAG BEARER

The general election could well be a rematch between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Cord leader Raila Odinga, despite much talk and deliberate suspense about another joint opposition flagbearer.

The crush news has established Raila has quietly put together a presidential campaign team headed by university don Dr Adams Oloo.

None of the other Cord co-principals has a full-fledged presidential secretariat.

And the presence of the former Prime Minister loomed large at the first joint opposition convention at the Bomas of Kenya on January 11, giving a strong suggestion he could fly the flag for a fourth time. This time for NASA.

Raila spoke last, was praised as the "lion" of Kenyan politics and crowned with the branded caps of four main opposition parties.

Still, his strategy could be to keep everyone guessing, while he tests the waters.

While in Busia on Thursday, Raila indicated he expects to be the standard bearer, urging supporters to leave it to him to prevent "rigging at the top".

"Ghana used to rig elections with digital boy John Mahama being the latest architect of the vice, but my agemate Nana Akufo-Addo sent him packing. We shall do the same to the Jubilee digital boys," he said.

??xxxHe added, Jubilee medicine is to elect me President."

Indeed, all opinion polls over six months have shown Raila is the only candidate who can rival Kenyatta, despite trailing by about 20 points.

A Star poll released last week showed — that if the election were held today — 44 per cent of Kenyans would want Raila as the joint opposition candidate, while 18 per cent prefer Amani leader Musalia Mudavadi.

Twelve per cent prefer Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, two per cent Ford Kenya boss and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula and one per cent Kanu chairman and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.

An Ipsos poll in December showed Raila would get 22 per cent against Uhuru's 50 per cent, while Mudavadi would get one per cent and Kalonzo two per cent.

At Bomas, coded language by opposition lieutenants left no doubt as to who could mount a formidable challenge to Uhuru and DP William Ruto.

Cord captains — Raila, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang'ula — and the National Super Alliance's chief proponent Musalia Mudavadi all want the opposition flag.

The protocol at Bomas also strongly suggested Raila was the man to watch and speculation was rife.

The 72-year-old veteran of can't battles — including the second liberation and multi party democracy — was the last to speak, signifying his seniority.

All the experts making presentations at Bomas are from Raila's think tanks