We can authoritatively confirm that CORD Leader and last general elections presidential run up Raila Amolo Odinga is weighing up his political options for 2017 elections. Raila, outspoken leader, was born in 1945, and whose father is former freedom fighter and Preseident Jomo Kenyatta's -President Uhuru's father- confidant and one time vice-president, later foe Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

Veteran Luo Nyanza political Kingpin Raila Odinga

Already a veteran politician, Raila will be 72 by the next elections and fears are that he may not be in a position to replicate the vibrant and dynamic energy the Kenyan populace is already accustomed to from the current youthful president and its deputy. And with the young elite politicians with CORD affiliate parties already gang up to spearhead  young Turks revolution, Raila Odinga is said to be considering retiring from active politics altogether while his star is still shining bright rather than lose and get kicked out of the political arena by the young Turks. Another factor that has really influenced his consideration is the path taken by his long time ally and key advisor, scholar Prof. Peter Anyang Nyong'o, father to Oscar Academy winner Lupita Nyong'o. Prof. Nyong'o has decided to take a back seat in politics and concentrate on his family affairs, having been in public service for decades, especially now that his daughter is a big Hollywood star and would probably be in dire need of her father's guidance.

As to what the enigmatic leader who is hated and loved in equal measure decides to do, is everyone's guess, given his unpredictable political decisions and turn-arounds; but he will most probably fade off from the political arena sooner than later.

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Eliud Owalo, who quit as CORD Campaign Manager and Aide to Raila

In the wake of the aborted ODM party elections, woes seem to pile up on the CORD leader as his PA and Election Manager Eliud Owalo quit the coalition. This is on the back of his coalition co-principle and his 4th March running mate being snubbed by his party MPs, Senators and Governors when he convened a WIPER meeting in Nakuru. Only three people attended other than Mr. Musyoka, all the others choosing to avoid him.

Cracks within the party seem to be widening as coast region politicians Mishi Juma and Aisha Karisa vowed to quit the coalition. Johnstone Muthama, Senator Machakos has also made similar remarks. The Ababu Namwamba faction in the party is said to be Jubilee leaning too.

Eliud Owalo cited persistent unwarranted attacks from Jakoyo Midiwo as his reason to withdraw his services from CORD and its leadership with immediately. He accused Jakoyo and his ilk of harassing him in pursuant to of their desire to have unlimited and unfettered political support around Raila.

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Political nemesis President Uhuru Kenyatta (L) and Raila Odinga (R)

Massive exodus from CORD Coalition to Jubilee seem to have been accelerated by the botched ODM elections at Kasarani. The latest bunch of politicians to jump ship are from the coastal region. They have termed the ODM elections as 'Democracy on Trial'. Ironically, that was Raila Odinga's title to his denunciation speech after he lost the 4th March 2013 elections to Uhuru Kenyatta. Raila termed the elections fraudlent and declared he'd seek legal redress as he felt democracy was on trial.

Sarcastically, the exodus from his party are down to the party's autocracy and dictatorial nature with Raila being accused of high handedness and micromanaging  the party for his own personal gains as opposed to the interests of the whole country. The coastal religion religiously voted for Raila Odinga in 2007 and was one of the epicenters of the Post Election Violence  (PEV). Youths who had sworn allegiance to Raila took to the streets and rioted for weeks in what they claimed that their candidate of choice had been rigged out.

Despite the setback, five years later, the region chose to keep their faith in Raila Odinga and his CORD Coalition carried the day though nationally, he again lost to the current president Uhuru Kenyatta. Their faith seem to have worn out now as they also accuse the coalition's principle leader of opposing each development agenda of the current government for the sake of it and without any fundamental grounds. Some of the projects that the leader has been strongly opposed to are of deep economic importance to the region namely the LAPSSET Corridor project, Ramisi Sugar factory revival and the standard gauge railway line. These projects, once complete, are set to change the fortunes of the region and make it one of the richest in the country.

It is on the back of this that MP Mishi Juma from Mombasa and her Kilifi counterpart Aisha Karisa have jumped into the Jubilee bandwagon. They have sworn to worn with the government to ensure that the projects being undertaken by the government for the welfare of the region are not sabotage and are successful and to the benefit of the people.

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