What the BBI verdict means for coalition deal

The Supreme Court has put coalition making deals in limbo with Azimio La Umoja and Kenya Kwanza sent back to the drawing board ahead of the August general elections.

With the death of the BBI, both coalitions face the challenge of solving a complicated power-sharing arrangement.

Critics have intimated that both coalitions have to compromise, with the only reward for political partnership being the position of deputy president.

If passed, the Building Initiative Bill (BBI) would have seen an expansion of the executive.

The new positions such as Prime Minister, two deputies and the options to pick Members of Parliament as members of the Cabinet which would be a leeway for presidential candidates to dangle the carrot in exchange for votes.

For Azimio power-sharing agreement, Raila Odinga faces choosing a running mate from Mt Kenya with his options being Peter Kenneth, Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua and the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya.

From the Ukambani region, Raila has the option of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka who brings in about 1.7 million votes from lower Eastern counties where he enjoys significant support.

“I also note that the content of the Bill itself was upheld, save for the provisions of the Second Schedule. What has been faulted is the role that the state is said to have played at the commencement of the popular initiative,” Raila said.

The matrix for Kenya Kwanza is not any easier. Despite Deputy President William Ruto not being a BBI die-hard, a pass for BBI would have made it easier for him to come up with a winning formula. Now, the deputy has to make a tough decision on the running mate equation.

Ruto needs to decide whether he will choose his deputy from the Mt Kenya region, where he enjoys significant support or go with ANC’s Musalia Mudavadi.

As the country awaits both coalitions to announce the persons who will be the running mates, Kenyans can only wait with bated breath.