CORD leader Raila Odinga moves to seal cracks over referendum

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has convened separate parliamentary group meetings today to iron out emerging differences sparked by the push for a national referendum.

Several governors, senators and MPs allied to the coalition have taken issue with the ‘wanting’ level of consultations within the coalition starting from its rallies and now the call for a referendum.

Stem rebellion

Consequently, to stem imminent rebellion likely to bog down the coalition’s push for a referendum, CORD principals Raila Odinga (ODM), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula will this morning chair parliamentary group meetings for their parties separately to whip their members who have allegedly rebelled against them over funding of political functions.

The three principals will seek to rally their troops to support the referendum call amid simmering tension within the coalition after differences emerged from a section of governors and Members of Parliament who have accused the principals of driving the referendum agenda without involving them.

Governors and MPs allied to CORD who spoke to The Standard on condition of anonymity complained that the principals had gone ahead to plan the unveiling of a national referendum committee without their input.

They complained that they were being left out of the process despite the fact that they will be required to unleash huge resources to mobilise grassroots support.

Driving agenda

“We are left wondering why the principals are driving the referendum agenda as a personal issue. We have not been called by the secretariat nor been approached by anyone on how they want to involve us along the way,” said one of the governors from Nyanza.

Another governor from the Coast area said they will not entertain a repeat of the CORD rallies when they were reportedly instructed to foot all the bills of mobilisation, meals, decoration and entertainment at the rallies.

“We were forced to get into our pockets to finance a political function that we did not plan for. That cannot happen this time round. We want them to tell us where the money will come from,” he said, adding that some of them were left with huge bills to offset after the rallies.