Jubilee forays in Western worry CORD

Former MP and Water Services Trust Fund Chair Musikari Kombo. (Photo:File/Standard)

There are fears among members of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) that the forays being made by the Jubilee administration in Western region may hurt its chances of ascending to power in 2017.

But despite this, some CORD leaders say the damage is not beyond repair yet.

The leaders were reacting to statements attributed to former ministers Noah Wekesa and Musikari Kombo as well as Trans-Nzoia Woman Representative Janet Nangabo who pledged to support the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017 during a function presided over by Deputy President William Ruto.

Senators Hassan Omar (Mombasa), Moses Kajwang' (Homa Bay), Harold Kipchumba (nominated) and MPs Opondo Kaluma (Homa Bay Town) Simba Arati (Dagoretti North) and Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja) said political competition should not be misconstrued for failure.

Mr Omar, who is the Wiper party Secretary General, said Luhya politics should be seen beyond the forays Jubilee or CORD is making in Western region.

"We should not be worried about those saying that they don't want to be in the Opposition. If CORD forms the Government, will they want to be in CORD's government?" posed Omar.

Mr Kajwang' said Jubilee's forays in Western do not worry CORD because "they are using leaders who were rejected by the electorate".

Mr Kipchumba said ODM ought to be disturbed by the way things are going.

"The serious question of the forays by Jubilee to CORD strongholds should go to ODM more than CORD," said Kipchumba.

Ford-Kenya Secretary General Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren) said his party would reach out to Luhya leaders to consolidate their support under one coalition ahead of the 2017 election.

He said 2017 is the best chance for the Luhya community to be in government through CORD.

"The best chance for us to have a meaningful shot at the presidency is to be in CORD since in Jubilee, we have been informed very loud that it is a preserve of Uhuru and Ruto until 2032. Our members are still intact and none is planning to move," said Dr Simiyu.

Kimilili MP Suleiman Murunga (Ford-Kenya) said all development projects are being initiated by the Jubilee government, not the Opposition.

"I will continue working with the Jubilee government to get development projects for my people," said Murunga.

Misled mudavadi

And Bumula's Boniface Otsyula said he will support the Jubilee Government.

"I am supporting Jubilee government 100 per cent. Whether they perform or not I will not change my loyalty to any other political party," said Otsyula.

Mr Arati said the Jubilee administration has been cornered in the wake of spiraling corruption and insecurity and are now looking for support but that strategy will not work.

"Jubilee knows that they have been cornered and are now looking for support from Luhya community thinking that they will never vote as a block. They have perfected the art of divide and rule and this time, it will not work," said Arati.

Wandayi, also ODM Director for Political Affairs, said the party was not threatened in any way and the forays are a desperate attempt by a coalition whose policies of exclusion and vindictiveness are beginning to boomerang.

"We shall continue to strengthen our traditional strongholds as we conquer new territories on our journey to 2017," said Wandayi.

Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga) accused some legislators of making remarks to appear that they are speaking on behalf of the people of Western yet they are speaking for themselves.

"I expect people from Western Kenya to vote with their brains not their stomachs. Any government formed owes every citizen a duty to protect and care for them. Whatever is being given to the region is not political token. It is sad that some of the Luhya leaders who misled Mudavadi to dump Raila are now scheming to rally everyone to join the Government. Will that achieve anything" said Shanzu.

Wilbur Ottichillo (Emuhaya) also dismissed recent remarks by former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende that the community should join the Government to avoid being in the political cold as a personal opinion.

"We must mature politically. Marende is not an MP and for him nothing is at stake," he said.