Raila Odinga's word on CORD presidential flag bearer

CORD leaders from left, Moses Wetangula, Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka, the Coalition’s Principal Raila said their presidential candidate will be determined by laid down procedures. PHOTO: FILE

NAIROBI: CORD leader Raila Odinga on Sunday dismissed reports in a section of the media that he is CORD's 2017 flag bearer, in a statement, Raila said the coalition’s candidate will be picked using laid down procedures.

Raila said the candidate will have to be someone who will safeguard the wishes of the Coalition's supporters and its leaders and not an imposition of individuals.

Reiterating his desire to vie for the ticket in the Coalition’s primaries, Raila said he is ready to support whoever will emerge the winner in that primary contest. He therefore asked CORD supporters to ignore reports in a section of the local media (not The Standard) that he has to be the CORD candidate.

He however insisted that the ticket remains an affair between CORD member parties.  

“Mr Odinga does not intend to go outside CORD to shop for a candidate and will not support a candidate from outside the coalition. He however retains his appeal to more politicians and parties to join CORD and vie for the flag bearer ticket to beat Jubilee next year.” Read the statement by his spokesman Dennis Onyango.