Coast CORD leaders split as Jubilee launches charm offensive

Kenya: According to her, positive engagement with government such as talks on how to improve security should not have earned him reprisal from his party.

“We know (Rongo MP) Dalmas Otieno has been working with Jubilee and he has not been reprimanded by CORD,” she said. Mung’aro has since blamed his political woes on Senator Omar. However, the Kilifi North MP said he still respects CORD leader Raila Odinga.

He has vowed to spearhead consultations and meetings with a view to forming a regional political party ahead of the 2017 elections.

“As party leader, we will continue to respect you, but let us work with the Government of the day because this is what our people want,” said Mung’aro. Separately, Kwale County Women Representative Zainab Chidzuga insisted Mung’aro and his allies did not betray CORD by visiting State House.

“We have been talking to the Government of the day and not Jubilee. We therefore did not betray our coalition as claimed by our critics,” Chidzuga argued. She claimed that in Kwale, the Government had pledged to allocate 500 acres in Msambweni to squatters.

“We will gain a lot by talking to Jubilee,” Chidzuga said. But Omar said Mung’aro ought to have understood the stand of his party and his political coalition.

“Every member of CORD should to toe the line and Mung’aro is not an exception. He must toe the CORD line,” Omar said. Mboko claimed Mung’aro had survived an earlier ‘political divorce’ with Raila over his association with Jubilee early this year after Coast MPs intervened but had not desisted from being politically defiant.

Rebel member

She claimed Mung’aro was no longer serving the interests of his party but was working with Jubilee to undermine CORD in the region.

“Mung’aro cannot wear the uniform of the rival team and pretend to play for his team. He cannot serve two masters at ago,” Mboko warned.

Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi claimed Mung’aro was removed from the parliamentary position become he was incompetent and disloyal.

Lamu Women Representative Shakila Abdalla said it was sad the region was divided over a ‘trivial issue’ and called for unity.

“Coast MPs should come together and address the challenge our people face such as insecurity. Holding political rallies will not be help,” Abdalla, a CORD member, said.

Kwale Senator Agnes Zani said the Coast stood a better position politically if leaders could be united. Speaking at the Treasury Square in Mombasa recently, Dr Zani said the strength of the region lies in the unity of its leadership.

Kwale politician Sheikh Hamisi Banda urged Mung’aro to remain steadfast in CORD instead of being bitter over his replacement as Minority Chief Whip.

“Changes like this are normal in political parties and Mung’aro should not be driven by anger into joining Jubilee,” Banda said.