When the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) retreats to Naivasha today for a two-day conference, the affiliate parties — Orange Democratic Movement, Wiper and Ford Kenya — will be keen on forging closer ties with an eye on the 2017 General Election.
The coalition believes this is the time to engage with its members and iron out kinks so that CORD comes out stronger, says Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula.
“Our unity is for prosperity, but since we come from different parties affiliated to CORD, in the process we tend to hold varied views and out of tune but the bottom line is we are all committed to giving the country an ideal unity front to engage Jubilee,” said the Bungoma Senator.
Wetang'ula, ODM leader Raila Odinga and Wiper Democratic Movement supremo Kalonzo Musyoka are co-principals of CORD where their parties derive corporate membership. Each of these parties have asked their leader to seek the presidency in the 2017 General Election, but Wetang’ula says now is not the time for CORD to nominate its candidate.
The Senator stressed that the coalition has three principal parties and each has the right to explore its liberty to field its desired candidate to contest for the presidency in 2017.
READ MORE
Is Kalonzo Musyoka's grip on Ukambani weakening?
Opposition blasts ruling regime over warlords, calls for unity vote
Opposition: Infrastructure Fund linked to Ruto's campaigns
Why Kalonzo would be the best president for Kenyans living abroad
“Exploring individual party’s rights enhances internal democracy that is required for prosperity in a mature democracy. This is a weighty subject for CORD but we are already putting in place the right mechanisms to arrive at the preferred candidate,” said Wetang’ula, ruling out fears of a potential fallout by the coalition partners over this thorny issue.
“The prophets of doom are predicting a fallout. I want to assure Kenyans that after our retreat, we will emerge stronger, united and offer hope and inspire confidence among our people,” assured the Senator in reference to reports of a potential fallout owing to his absence at a meeting attended by Raila in Bungoma.
Wetang’ula says they will develop mechanism through which CORD’s flag bearer in the 2017 election will be nominated.
“We have a team of professionals exploring several scenarios and variables,” he noted.
However, for now the pressing issues revolve around basic house cleaning, the Ford Kenya leader observed.
“We have serious issues to canvass at the Naivasha meeting, including strengthening the coalition. We need to get members to speak in uniformity, interpret nationals matter with a broader scope and remain relevant.”
Wetang’ula noted that in a coalition, there will be moments when members disagree.
“We joined the coalition knowing very well it was not for comfort but sacrifice and contribution for the common good of this country. We will continue to remain focused in our quest to clinch the presidency in 2017.”
The retreat will help our members reflect on CORD’s commitments to Kenyans, he said.
“We are alive to the pledges we made to the electorate and our members. We will minimise any decision that might be viewed as a betrayal by fulfilling our promise to Kenyans to remain united,” said Wetang’ula.
Wiper Vice Chairman Mutula Kilonzo Jnr and ODM Political Affairs Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said it was healthy for each member party of the coalition to want one of their own to be the CORD flag bearer in 2017.
However, they said that there were still a host of issues that the coalition wants to tackle in the interim.
“We plan to talk about a myriad of issues, including the Okoa Kenya Bill. We have 24 months to the elections, we should set deadlines that are achievable,” said Kilonzo Jnr, the Makueni Senator.
