CORD moves to stop fall-out over Kalonzo Musyoka presidential ambition

CORD co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka

Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) management team has downplayed suggestions that the endorsement of leaders from affiliate parties to contest the presidency in the next elections spells doom for the coalition.

Instead, they argued that the declaration by party members that Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka, would both vie for the presidency highlights healthy internal competition within the coalition.

Officials of the Wiper party insisted that members are just selling Kalonzo as a choice among equals in the CORD coalition and whether he is in the ballot or not, the coalition would hold beyond 2017 polls.

Wiper Secretary General and Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar insisted that what is happening is internal competition and does not signal a fall-out within the coalition.

Omar expressed concern that Jubilee coalition is a closed shop being run by two politicians on the platform of two ethnic communities while others have been neglected.

"CORD will go strong and we are aware that there are some individuals who wish that we break up. The best alternative government is CORD because Jubilee is a closed shop being run by two people. We know they have lost touch with the ground and the reality of life," said Omar.

Ford Kenya Secretary General Eseli Simiyu and a member of the coalition management team accused some unseen hand in the management of the coalition affairs, whom he claimed wants to create a picture that Wiper will bolt out of CORD.

Dr Eseli contended that MPs from Kamba region vowing that Kalonzo must be in the ballot in 2017 are members of Jubilee affiliate parties, but not CORD's. "There is no problem in CORD. All the three co-principals have indicated that they will front only one presidential candidate in 2017," said Simiyu.

The Tongaren MP pointed a finger at their political nemesis for trying to create a fall-out where there is none, adding that the process of identifying the flag bearer has not been discussed and once agreed upon will be made public.

However, Wiper Chairman David Musila said the decision to have Kalonzo on the ballot was arrived at during the party retreat and is a resolution of members. Musila said as a party, they feel they have the best candidate and would be discussing with its partners in the coalition for them to give their candidate a chance to fly the coalition's presidential flag.

Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama said the resolution arrived at Naivasha was about rebranding the party in readiness to compete competitively with others to win seats.