As the 2022 General elections draw closer, all eyes are on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga to see his next move in the chess game that is politics. 

In the recent past, the political scenario has shifted with Raila's National Super Alliance (NASA) counterparts alienating ODM and forming their own outfit.

Amani National Congress(ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi, Ford Kenya's Moses Wetangula, and Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka have all claimed that the NASA coalition is in the past as they focus on the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) alongside their KANU counterpart Gideon Moi.

President Uhuru Kenyatta's shakes hands with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on March 9, 2018.

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The ODM leader, through the 2018 handshake agreement, has formed an alliance with President Uhuru Kenyatta- a play that many argue would aid him in appeasing the Mt Kenya region should he announce his candidature. 

Political analyst Herman Manyora, however, addressed Raila's chances should Uhuru revert and back his Deputy William Ruto.

"If Uhuru went (and backed Ruto) it would be a difficult game for Raila but the ODM leader is a political analyst he can make a move like supporting somebody else and the game is done," Manyora stated.  

He noted that both Uhuru and Raila should not try to play each other.

"So Raila can leave Uhuru and Ruto in the corner and mobilise the rest of the country into a political formation that would kick these guys out," Manyora stated.

His sentiments were echoed by analyst Mark Bichache who affirmed that Raila's chances are pegged on his political alliances. 

"If Uhuru backs Ruto, status quo for the Deputy President remains the same because he's banking on the Central region and the Rift. It would make it easier for him to score 100 percent in Mt Kenya but what about the rest of the country? The ideal thing is for Uhuru to back Raila.

"Raila knows if he backs down and supports someone such as Mudavadi, they have a greater chance of winning, he also knows that if he stays in the race and his NASA counterparts back him, then he's assured of the presidency," Bichache spoke to Kenyans.co.ke 

Political analyst Martin Andati differed with his two counterparts alleging that despite Raila being a kingmaker and a key player in the political industry, he would not stand a chance. 

"The Kamba nation is not with him, section of Mt Kenya has rejected him, but you cannot wish him away, he will be a kingmaker.

"You can not wish them (Uhuru and Raila) away and that is the greatest mistake Ruto is making and he will always live to regret," Andati opined. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre) with Deputy President William Ruto (left) and Opposition leader Raila Odinga at the Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi YOUTUBE Source:Kenyans.co.ke