This archive report was first published on 19 August 2021.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged leaders of the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) to disband the coalition, citing regional balance concerns.
According to sources, the President made this request during a meeting with OKA co-principals and ODM leader Raila Odinga at State House in Mombasa on August 18, 2021.
President Kenyatta reportedly told the group that the coalition fails the test on regional balance and asked Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Gideon Moi (Kanu), and Moses Wetangula (Ford-Kenya) to initiate the process of dissolving OKA.
He expressed a desire for a broader coalition that captures the face of Kenya and emphasized that he wants Raila Odinga to succeed him as President in the next general election.
President Kenyatta shared a confidential opinion poll conducted by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), which showed that Deputy President William Ruto was ahead of all OKA principals individually, but that they stood a better chance of winning the presidency if they united.
He warned that a run-off would be risky, as the top seat could go either way.
OKA principals had earlier declared their intention to front a presidential candidate in the next general election, but President Kenyatta's advice may have changed their plans.
