Cord to announce flag bearer on December 22

PM Raila Odinga(right), Trade Minister Moses Wetangula and VP Kalonzo Musyoka[Photo:Jeniffer Wachie/Standard]

By Geoffrey Mosoku

NAIROBI; KENYA: The Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD) leaders will unveil their election line up in Nairobi on Saturday next week.

The Cord leaders on Thursday met and announced that they will name their flagbearer at a major political rally slated to take place at Uhuru Park on December 22.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and trade minister Moses Wetang’ula on Thursday told journalists in Nairobi that Kenyans will know who plays which role in their alliance on that day.

“We have agreed that we shall hold a crucial public rally at Uhuru Park on December 22 where we shall make a major announcement,” Raila announced at the staircase of his office moments after hosting Kalonzo and Wetangu’la for one hour meeting.

The three were accompanied by several MPs.

However, the premier refused to divulge further details of what they will be announcing on that day only asking for patience in Kiswahili “Subira huvuta heri” (Patience pays).

The leaders, according to sources have agreed on setting up a technical team which will harmonise their respective party manifestos and rules of engagement between the three major parties forming the coalition.

The source indicated that part of the mandate of the technical team will be on drafting joint nominations rules, harmonise party manifestos and recommend the symbol and colour of the Cord alliance for the purpose of the presidential ticket.

The law provides that when two or more parties form a coalition to contest jointly in an election, the parties shall choose a common symbol and colour to appear in the ticket.

The alliance is likely to get a neutral colour and symbol, just like in 2002, when Narc was created to be an umbrella of all the parties that united to dislodge Kanu from power.

“Given that already we have coined a name for the balanced, all is left is to explore the colours and symbols that the president and his running mate will be using on Election Day. That’s part of what will be unveiled on 22nd,” the source who is privy to the ongoing negotiations indicated.

The technical team will then work throughout the weekend and report to political leaders next week before the three principals are briefed.

The discussions will also centre of how government seats will be shared proportionally amongst the three parties and about ten other parties which have expressed interest to work with Cord.

The political team includes ministers Mutula Kilonzo, James Orengo, Dalmas Otieno, Anyang; Nyongo, assistant minister David Musila, chief whip Johnstone Muthama, MP Eseli Simiyu and former minister Nyiva Mwendwa.

And unlike in the jubilee alliance where a presidential nomination is set for Tuesday, the Cord alliance gives Raila’s ODM and Kalonzo’s Wiper parties exclusive mandate to agree on presidential candidate and running mate through consensus and consultations.

On the other hand, Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya will not have a say on the presidential nomination but will provide the leader of majority in parliament.

The date, according to insiders was arrived at as the most appropriate to excite Kenyans, as it will be countering what the jubilee alliance will have announced on Tuesday.

“Whether they (jubilee) nominate Musalia Mudavadi or Uhuru Kenyatta, we shall name a formidable alliance which will go all the way to clinch the presidency with an overwhelming majority,” an MP who is part of the negotiation but not allowed to speak on the matter added.

On Thursday, Wetang’ula who is also the Sirisia MP said they had resolved that there’s no turning back now and will be moving ahead with in their bid to give Kenyans an opportunity to elect the team that will move the country forward.
“This is a coalition that brings all Kenyans together and we shall sure take the country where it ought to be. Our meeting at Uhuru Park will signify a new dawn in Kenyan politics. All Kenyans are invited."

ODM and Wiper held separate national delegates’ conferences which approved their two parties’ participation in the Cord alliance and further endorsed Raila and Kalonzo respectively as their preferred presidential candidates. At the same time, Cord raised concerns over the low turnout in the voter registration process.

“We are concerned about the low turn-out in the voter registration exercise, all eligible voters should go and register, you should not bank on the an extension of the deadline,” Raila said.

Kalonzo asked those who have not registered to do so immediately saying that being a voter was the only weapon a person could use to elect a leader of his or her choice and determine on how one will be governed.

He said if the President Kibaki was set to sign the amendment to the elections law, while urging those with waiting cards to take advantage of the new law to enlist as voters before the closure of the exercise on the 18th.

“The department of Registration of Persons is taking ID’s to chiefs, those who have not collected should check for them at their local chiefs offices, this is an important exercise that calls for your participation,” the VP added.