All set for Wiper delegates meeting

By GEOFFREY MOSOKU

Wiper Democratic Movement will Monday hold its National Delegates Conference (NDC) expected  to be attended by Prime Minister and ODM party leader Raila Odinga.

More than 3,000 delegates will converge at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani gymnasium to, among other things, endorse Kalonzo’s presidential candidature.

It is after nominating the VP as the party’s flag bearer that Wiper delegates will hand him the mandate to negotiate with Raila over the ODM/Wiper joint ticket.

After the formal nomination, Kalonzo is expected to outline his vision, especially after closing ranks with his hitherto bitter rival.

Both Raila and Kalonzo have signed a pre-election pact alongside Moses Wetangula’s Ford Kenya and nine other parties. 

3000 delegates

Both Raila and Kalonzo have signed a coalition agreement for a pre-election alliance with Moses Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya and nine other small parties. 

The agreement allows Wiper and ODM parties to determine who becomes the Cord presidential aspirant and running mate through consensus.

On Friday, Kalonzo joined Raila at his ODM’s NDC in the same venue.

“Over 3,000 delegates will attend the NDC to nominate the party leader as the party’s presidential candidate,” Kalonzo’s spokesman Kaplich Barsito confirmed.

The delegates will also approve the party’s draft constitution, endorse the Wiper national elections and nomination rules and replace officials who have since delft the party.

Yesterday, preparations were on top gear as Wiper officials staged a last-minute preparations for the conference.

Top party officials led by Wiper Executive Director Brigadier Henry Rop were at the Kasarani gymnasium to oversee the preparations as delegates from various destinations upcountry trooped into the city.

The VP first contested the presidency in 2007 when he merged third behind President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila.

He then ran on an ODM Kenya ticket, the party whose name was changed to Wiper to avoid confusing supporters as it initially shared colours and symbols with Raila’s ODM.