Kenyans in Diaspora Unveil Raila's Campaign Team

A section of Kenyans living in the diaspora have collaborated with the National Super Alliance (NASA) national campaign team to form a group that will lead in Raila Odinga’s campaigns in the diaspora.

A team comprising of 12 individuals will spearhead mobilizing of NASA supporters in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Canada, Gulf and USA and will be chaired by George Fred Osewe, co-chaired by Victoria Bett.

Joseph Lister Nyarigo was named the Secretary in charge of strategy and media relations, while Robert Ndede and Samuel Okemwa will head the NASA campaigns and publicity in the blogsphere, print and television.

Dan Ochweri and Albert Musasia will lead the intelligence gathering and campaign operations.

"Many NASA supporters will be travelling home to be part of the team that will monitor vote tallying at the polling stations under the ‘adopt a polling station’ initiative to prevent rigging and other campaign matters," Mr Osewe said.

Nyaringo noted that a NASA diaspora office has already been set up in Nairobi.

"It comprises a pool of talented diaspora professionals currently coordinating locals and the diaspora in laying out strategies for Raila’s victory. The office is led by Bella Akinyi, deputized by Job Ocharo," Nyaringo said.

According to Osewe, the Diaspora team will focus on three main pillars during the campaign, which will be; resource mobilization for the adopt a polling station initiative, formulating campaign strategies, promoting Raila’s agenda in the blogosphere, print, television and at the grassroots.

Martin Ongadi, Eric Ashikoye and Evans Moseti will lead the NASA team in the Gulf.

"In the vast European regions, we shall have five coordinators- Elly Omondi, Mohammad Abbas, Ali Abdo, George Odegi and Dorah Atinda. In Southern Africa, Kennedy Omweri and Charles Mayaka will coordinate the region for NASA," Nyaringo said.

The team has divided the US into five zones, with each zone not having more more than five coordinators who will work hand in hand with NASA supporters on the ground for resource mobilization.

Prof Frank Onchiri, Omondi Owera and Samuel Nyakemwa have been tasked to oversee the US pacific region covering Washington State . The North East will be coordinated by Sally Olembo, Geoffrey Nyamue, Steven Mwangi, Esli Aburi and Dr Dan Mugubi. "In the Southern region, covering Texas and the surrounding States, it shall be coordinated by Jack ambuka, Frank Ogwoka, Ezra Onsarigo and Frank Ogwoka," Osewe said.

Midwest which covers Minnesota and surrounding states, will be led by Haron Ondigi, Mike Owour, Joseph Mose and Andrew Kerosi, while, Evans Momanyi, Dickson Muoki and Felix Nyangate. The Mountain region covering California will fall under Alex Ngotho Kinyanjui, Karani Bwonsomu and Vera Ambeva will cover the South Central.

"We can't afford another shambolic election manipulated by the government of President Uhuru Kenyatta. Every step of the election process must be open and free of the mysteries we have witnessed before," said Mike Owuor.

Minnesota Cordinator Mr Kerosi, observed: “Even though diaspora will not vote in August, our unity of purpose in supporting the adopt a polling station will ensure free, fair and credible election."

“Despite being away from home, I will use my resources to support NASA and ensure that the current government is defeated in August. Kenya needs a fresh start after many decades of misrule,” said Dr Dan Mugubi, who is also a coordinator in the US, East Coast.

"An online portal for diaspora: https://www.gofundme.com/3ix8sz4 and a Pay bill number 855425 have been established. There is also another pay bill 991444 established by the NASA campaign Secretariat where Kenyans from any region can channel their donations to support the same initiative. The two platforms will run parallel to one another," Nyaringo said.

“Kenyans who believe in change irrespective of their status in life should commit themselves to prevent rigging which is a cancer to our democracy. Pooling resources and physically having agents in every polling station will scale down rigging,” said Victoria Bett in Washington DC.

The coordinator of NASA team in the UK Ali Abdi expressed concerns of how rigging has kept robbing Africa off best leaders.

"The epic August election should set Kenya free and diaspora is ready to play a critical role. The diaspora understands that Kenya has suffered massively as a result of election rigging," Abdi said.

“The diaspora’s contribution to the country’s exchequer cannot be underrated. Our annual remittances to Kenya are in a tune of billions.” We want a leader of Raila’s caliber to spur the country’s economy through domestic and foreign investments,” said Nyaringo.