In early 2002, Mwai Kibaki, Wamalwa Kijana, and Charity Ngilu convened their first meeting at the Serena Hotel to strategize on revitalizing the opposition and presenting a united front for the upcoming general elections later that year. Although FORD Kenya remained influential,

By this time, Charity Ngilu was without a party, still grappling with the aftermath of betrayal and a hostile takeover within her own SDP. Apollo Mboya, backed by Professor Anyang Nyong'o and James Orengo, had taken control of the SDP, asserting that the party should not be led

Mwai Kibaki, Wamalwa Kijana, and Charity Ngilu, three prominent figures of the opposition, held a series of secretive meetings at the Serena Hotel. These gatherings took place in private rooms to shield their discussions from prying eyes and potential eavesdroppers. As word of

As NAK was beginning to solidify, tensions within the ruling party, KANU, escalated with the approach of the transitional general elections. President Daniel arap Moi had controversially anointed Uhuru Kenyatta as his successor, a decision that stirred significant unease among

As KANU prepared for its final National Delegates Convention at Kasarani Stadium to endorse President Daniel arap Moi's succession plan, a dramatic political upheaval unfolded. Raila Odinga led a massive walkout from the government, joined by notable figures including George

The group of dissenters within KANU, who were unhappy with Moi's choice of Uhuru Kenyatta as his successor, referred to themselves as 'the rainbow', symbolizing their diverse political spectrum and their break from the monolithic ruling party. Initially, they found refuge in the

The atmosphere at the rally was festive and jovial, with everyone in high spirits, except for one man: Simeon Nyachae. Moments before, Raila Odinga had promised him unwavering support in his presidential ambitions. However, in a sudden and unexpected twist, Raila announced his

Raila Odinga's proclamation at Uhuru Park had a magical effect on the Kenyan populace, lifting spirits and galvanizing support. However, this left opposition leaders in a precarious situation; they couldn't dampen the people's hopes by suggesting disunity. Political advisors from

After extensive consultations, negotiations, and strategic discussions, opposition leaders formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) delineating how power would be shared post-election, should they secure victory. The core members of the National Alliance of Kenya (NAK)

Mwai Kibaki's car accident was far graver than what was publicly disclosed. The incident occurred at Machakos Junction on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, where Kibaki had just concluded a series of successful campaign rallies in Ukambani. In high spirits and eager to attend an

Mwai Kibaki's absence from the campaign trail due to his accident did not dampen the spirits of his supporters. The campaign continued with undiminished vigor, with the chant of "Kibaki Tosha" (Kibaki is enough) echoing across rallies. Raila Odinga, stepping up as a key figure in

In President Daniel arap Moi's camp, there was a clinging hope that Moi's undefeated election record would somehow secure a victory for Uhuru Kenyatta. They convinced themselves that despite the political winds blowing against them, they could still clinch the election.

This confidence was reflected in actions taken by Uhuru's sister, who had already moved into State House to prepare for her brother's presidency. She even ordered salvage vehicles to be removed from the yard, viewing them as an eyesore unbecoming of the presidential residence.

Moi, in a strategic move, had appointed Musalia Mudavadi as his Vice President, replacing George Saitoti and positioning Mudavadi as Uhuru's running mate. He holds the record of the shortest serving VP having stayed in office for only two months.

Furthermore, William Ruto was appointed as KANU's Secretary General, succeeding Raila Odinga. This group had the full backing of state resources for their campaign, giving them a significant advantage in terms of logistics, media access, and financial support.

However, behind this facade of confidence, Moi himself was dealing with personal turmoil. After 24 years in power and decades in active politics, he found it challenging to come to terms with his impending retirement.

One particular tradition he was reluctant to perform was the ceremonial handover of command as Commander-in-Chief at Lang'ata Barracks.This event symbolizes the peaceful transfer of military command from one president to another,a significant ritual in Kenyan political tradition.

Military chiefs had to personally visit Moi to impress upon him the importance and necessity of this ceremony, emphasizing that time was running out before the official transition. This reluctance from Moi might have been a reflection of his deep-seated desire to maintain control

or perhaps an acknowledgment of the emotional weight of finally relinquishing power after such a long reign. A retired CGS in his book observed that were it not for his stoic persona the old man would have shed tears during the ceremony.

This period was thus marked by a peculiar blend of optimism, strategic political maneuvering, and personal emotional struggle within Moi's camp, as the reality of a changing political landscape loomed large.