On 18 March 2002 the merger of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) led by President Daniel arap Moi and the National Development Party (NDP) led by Raila Odinga was approved by their delegates (IPS 18 Mar. 2002; The Nation 14 July 2002; East African Standard 2 Sept. 2002). According to one source, the two parties merged in an effort to increase their chances of winning the 2002 general elections since the "NDP was the second largest opposition party and commands massive support among Odinga's ethnic Luo voters from western Kenya" (IPS 18 Mar. 2002).

However, in July 2002 President Moi did not endorse Raila Odinga as the KANU presidential candidate, which had reportedly been one of the preconditions for the KANU-NDP merger, but instead endorsed Uhuru Kenyatta (The Nation 14 July 2002). As a result, Raila Odinga and former NDP leaders joined with the People's Coalition group and the National Alliance of Kenya to form a "formidable opposition alliance" called the National Rainbow Coalition (NRC) (IRIN 15 Oct. 2002).

Since Raila Odinga returned to the opposition, it is unknown how the Luo will be impacted by the elections scheduled for the end of 2002 although there are opinions on the issue; please consult the attached opinion piece from the East African Standard entitled "Raila Still Reigns Over Luo Nyanza" (21 Oct. 2002).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

East African Standard [Nairobi]. 2 September 2002. "Rainbow Alliance Puts Raila, Saitoti in Spotlight." http://fr.allafrica.com/stories/printable/200209020218.html [Accessed 24 Oct. 2002]

Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN). 15 October 2002. "Kenya: Political Scene Hots Up Ahead of Polls." http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=30417&SelectRegion=East_Africa&SelectCountry=KENYA [Accessed 24 Oct. 2002]

Inter Press Service (IPS). 18 March 2002. Katy Salmon. "Politics-Kenya: Two Major Parties Merge Ahead of Key Election." (NEXIS)

The Nation [Nairobi]. 14 July 2002. "Kenya; Power Struggle Begins in Kanu." (Africa News/NEXIS)

East African Standard [Nairobi]. 21 October 2002. Alphayo Otieno. "Raila Still Reigns Over Luo Nyanza." http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200210210020.html [Accessed 24 Oct. 2002]

IRB Databases

Keesing's Record of World Events

NEXIS

Internet sites, including:

Africa Confidential

AllAfrica.com

BBC Africa

The Daily Nation

East African Standard

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

U.S. Department of State

World News.com

World News Connection (WNC)

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