Step down and be a king maker, Wetang'ula now urges Raila

Jostling for the Opposition's presidential mantle took centre-stage as two CORD co-principals took their campaigns to different parts of the country.

Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang'ula was in Narok County where he asked his ODM counterpart Raila Odinga to step down and be the 'King Maker'.

And the Wiper Democratic Movement top brass warned ODM leaders against threats to go it alone in the 2017 elections if Raila was not endorsed as CORD presidential flag bearer.

Addressing a well-attended political rally at the historic Tononoka grounds last evening, the party declared that Kalonzo Musyoka was best suited to be CORD's flag bearer.

Wiper also took issue with some declaration by a section of ODM leaders saying they were divisive and underrated their party.

"We are deeply concerned about the sentiments in the past few weeks by ODM leaders that the party was ready to go it alone. The kind of chest-thumping that it is the biggest party is not acceptable. I want to tell them that Wiper has its options," Wiper chairman David Musila warned.

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Wetang'ula was on a popularisation tour of Narok to woo the Maasai community to support him in his quest for presidency and addressed a rally at Ilmashariani in Narok North constituency.

"All we are saying is that Raila is our elder and we do respect him but he has tried many times and failed. He should now let someone else give it a try," said Wetang'ula.

He added: "He (Raila) should be a king maker and he will have a special place in CORD once we win. After all, a king maker is more important than the king himself."

In Mombasa, Senator Hassan Omar read out Wiper's Tononoka declaration endorsing Kalonzo as the most suitable candidate for State House within the CORD family.

In the declaration, Wiper pledged to ensure a 50-50 government in respect of gender balance and end tribalism in the public sector.

Kalonzo said he has made commitment and sacrifices "like a pig", backing former President Mwai Kibaki after the 2007 polls and Raila's 2013 presidential bid, adding that he was ready to co-operate with anybody who would ensure CORD formed the next government.

"I am tired of being in Opposition. I am ready to cooperate with anybody provided we form the next government," Kalonzo said.

Kalonzo said Jubilee would not be allowed to continue ruling because it had failed to address historical injustices and reconcile the nation as recommended by the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission.

He said he was best suited to address historical land injustices and the Mombasa Republican Council that has complained about historical injustices at the Coast.

Kalonzo raised doubt over Jubilee government's claim that the economy was growing at six per cent, saying it was not possible as majority of youths were languishing in unemployment and poverty.

On naming the flag bearer, the Bungoma Senator said there was no hurry saying the last minute will prove a tough challenge to Jubilee.

"During the 2003, we named Mwai Kibaki in October, just a month to the general election and we floored Kanu. There is no Tsunami or hurricane that lasts a year. When that time comes, we will send Jubilee home very early," said the Senate Minority leader.

Wetang'ula was accompanied by aspirants for various seats via the Ford Kenya party such as Wycliffe Wafula (Bungoma gubernatorial hopeful), Dr Susan Wafula (Trans Nzoia Woman Representative seat aspirant) and Cynthia Mutere, who is eyeing Busia woman rep post.