Salim Lone returns to bolster Raila’s campaign team

Salim Lone, who is expected to join Nasa flag-bearer Raila Odinga's campaign team. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • He will take charge of the communication and strategic advisory functions in Mr Odinga’s campaign team.
  • Mr Lone expressed his delight at his return, saying it offers him an opportunity to be part of history for a new Kenya.

Salim Lone, who served as a top adviser to Raila Odinga when he was prime minister, is returning to the country to join the National Super Alliance flag-bearer’s campaign team.

Mr Lone is expected in the country on Wednesday and, according to sources, he will advise the team's communication and strategic advisory functions.

This is the second time Mr Odinga is turning to Mr Lone to head his campaign communications. He served as ODM director of communications and a top political adviser to him during the campaign for the 2007 elections.

Following the contested outcome of the election and negotiations led by Kofi Annan that subsequently led to Mr Odinga’s appointment as prime minister in a coalition government with Mwai Kibaki, Mr Lone became his spokesman and political adviser.

CRUCIAL ELECTIONS

During the 2010 referendum campaign for the new Constitution, Mr Lone was also appointed co-chair with former Trade minister Mukhisa Kituyi of the government-led Yes campaign team.

In that role, he worked under the leadership of the Cabinet co-chairs of the Yes campaign, ministers Anyang’ Nyong’o and Kiraitu Murungi.

He stayed out in the 2013 general election in order to complete work on a book on Kenyan and African politics that will shortly go to the publisher.

On Monday, Mr Lone expressed his delight at his return, saying it offers him an opportunity to be part of history for a new Kenya.

“This is a very crucial election for our country because if Jubilee Party is re-elected it will spell trouble for our country,” he said, just before he flew from New York to Nairobi.

Mr Lone's return comes just a week after Mr Odinga unveiled a 15-member campaign team, led by former Cabinet minister Musalia Mudavadi.

Mr Mudavadi is deputised by Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama and Olga Karani.