A NASA coalition is gradually becoming a clear reality with each passing day. With the signing of the opposition coalition working framework, the NASA leaders have demonstrated their resolve to offer Kenyans a viable alternative.
Many Kenyans are growing increasingly dissatisfied with Jubilee’s performance, particularly with regards to the government’s handling of corruption. The two top Jubilee leaders have been criticized for failing to address the issue, despite its severity.
Complexities of Building a Coalition ¶
Building a potent coalition is a complex and stressful process. The NASA principals have to navigate their differences and present a united front to their supporters, who demand that they stick together.
Jubilee operatives have dismissed the NASA coalition top leadership as a bunch of losers driven by greed and the need to share top government positions. However, this criticism is undermined by the fact that Jubilee leaders have themselves been accused of selfishly sharing top government positions among their cronies and relatives.
Representation and Ethnic Diversity ¶
Critics argue that coalitions like NASA ensure that all regions of the country are well-represented at the top, which is crucial in a country deeply divided along ethnic lines. In contrast, monolithic parties like Jubilee have been accused of prioritizing the interests of their leaders over those of the broader population.
The killing of over ten parties to form the Jubilee Party has been cited as an example of this trend. The subsequent law passed to lock in those who collapsed their parties has been characterized as selfish and undemocratic.
Consequences for Politicians ¶
In monolithic parties like Jubilee, the owners of the party have significant control over who gets nominated and who doesn’t. Politicians who show independence or free thinking are likely to be locked out of nomination, regardless of their popularity.
This approach has drawn comparisons to large and dictatorial parties like Daniel Moi’s KANU and China’s Communist Party. The presence of representatives of China’s Communist Party at the launch of the Jubilee party has been noted as a significant indicator of this trend.
Response from Jubilee ¶
Jubilee has been banking on a possible fallout in NASA, but the coalition’s steadfastness has caused jitters in the party. The signing of a NASA operational framework has sent Jubilee strategists back to the drawing board, as they reassess their strategy in light of the coalition’s growing momentum.
