This archive report was first published on 13 May 2020.
May 13, 2020 - Raila Odinga has been working on a new lineup in Luhyaland, shifting his focus from Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang'ula. The new lineup includes Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli and Kakamaga governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who have been instrumental in organizing the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Bukhungu rally that forced Mudavadi and Wetang'ula to attend.
Atwoli and Oparanya have emerged as key figures in Raila's camp, along with other notable leaders such as governors Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma), Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Senator Cleophas Malala, Devolution cabinet secretary Eugene Wamalwa, and nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi.
However, not all Luhya leaders are on board with Raila's new lineup. Vihiga senator George Khaniri has deserted the Raila camp and is now leaning towards Mudavadi. To handle Raila's Busia equation, former Funyula MP Paul Otuoma has been appointed.
Additionally, Raila is backing a new party, the Democratic Action Party, which is associated with CS Wamalwa and former minister Mukhisa Kituyi, in an effort to checkmate Wetangula in Bukusu politics.
Wamalwa has been tasked with grooming a candidate to battle it out with outspoken Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa of Ford Kenya in Trans Nzoia, where a recent opinion poll shows the MP would emerge victorious if governorship polls were held.
