We will not settle for less than a free and fair 2017 election, CORD leaders declare

CORD leaders Raila Odinga (centre), Moses Wetang’ula and Nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro (right) address a rally at Line Saba grounds in Kibera, Nairobi County, yesterday. [PHOTO: EDWARD KIPLIMO/STANDARD]

CORD has warned it will accept nothing but free and fair polls in 2017 even as it embarks on voter registration drive tomorrow.

The coalition leaders Raila Odinga and Moses Wetang’ula, and Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua have urged supporters to turn out in large numbers and register as voters.

The leaders said it is only through the ballot that the Opposition will ascend to power.

“Leadership is taken and not given. We therefore must prepare by registering as voters,” Raila told residents at Laini Saba Grounds in Kibra Nairobi.

He warned that their opponents will regret should they plan to rig the 2017 elections.

“If we win and you steal, mtaona chamte makuni (you will regret),” warned the former Prime Minister who led the crowd in taking oath promising to enlist as voters. Phase one of voter registration targeting four million new voters starts tomorrow and will run for a month.

Mr Wetang’ula reiterated that CORD principals will go to the polls united to ensure a landslide win.

“Let’s turn up in large numbers and register as voters so as to send the Jubilee administration home come 2017,” he said, adding, “It is only if we go united that we will win the elections.”

The Senate Minority Leader warned party rebels, that they will be replaced with other leaders.

“We are warning rebellious elected leaders that we will replace them with alternative leaders in their areas,” he said.

Strategies

Wetangula further accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for allegedly providing more Biometric Voter Registration kits to Jubilee coalition strongholds.

“They are already engaging in pre-rigging which we will not accept, and if they steal then we will meet them head on,” he claimed.

While accusing President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration of  runaway corruption, Ms Karua said it is only the Opposition that will bring change that Kenyans desire since they understand their problems.

“It is you who will dictate who becomes your leader. Let’s unite as Kenyans and register as voters so as we send this government home,” said Ms Karua.

Citing Raila’s Kibaki Tosha clarion call in 2002 polls, she said the former Prime Minister was better placed to lead the country since he is not tribal.

The Opposition luminaries claimed President Kenyatta was out to weaken independent institutions.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero said the Sh200 million bribery claims involving him is part of Jubilee scheme to remove him from the seat.

“Raila won 2013 presidential elections and you voted me as your governor,” he said, adding, “They proceeded to court and they lost.”

“They now claim that I bribed in the petition. They can dream but Nairobi seat is CORD’s.”

Meanwhile, National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale said the ruling Jubilee coalition has put in place strategies to ensure it gets at least three million new voters to hand President Kenyatta a second term in office.

Duale said all Jubilee elected leaders and aspirants have been asked to meet their supporters and mobilise them to register as voters.

And ANC secretary general Godfrey Osotsi said they have set up a voter registration coordination centre to monitor progress of the exercise in their strongholds.