By Peter Atsiaya
Kakamega , KENYA: Planning Minister Wycliffe Oparanya has moved to defuse simmering divisions in CORD’s team in Kakamega County over joint campaigns.
Mr Oparanya said all political parties affiliated to the coalition have resolved to work as a team during their campaigns.
“CORD is one entity and we will be pulling together in our campaigns because this is the only way we can beat our Amani alliance rivals,” he told The Standard on Sunday.
ODM, Trade Minister Moses Wetangula’s Ford-Kenya and Cyrus Jirongo-led Federal Party of Kenya (FPK) are the three parties in the region under CORD that have fielded candidates for various seats separately. The minister noted that although they would be campaigning jointly as CORD, he would not hesitate to drum up support for ODM candidates during campaigns.
“In our campaigns I would lead the ODM team in campaigning for our candidates and that does not mean we are divided,” he added.
He said: “The Vice-President (Kalonzo Musyoka) was in Malava campaigning for Wiper Party parliamentary candidate John Simaka. What is wrong if I go to the same constituency and campaign for ODM candidate for the same seat?”
Preferred candidate
Oparanya said CORD affiliate parties would not relent in campaigning for their presidential candidate and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
“We would seek for votes for Raila as one family,” said the former Butere MP.
He said Raila was still the most preferred presidential candidate among residents of the region, and that they would work tirelessly to ensure he beats his deputy and rival Musalia Mudavadi of Amani.
Oparanya will be working with Jirongo to deliver the county to CORD in the General Election.
Mr Jirongo, who is vying for Kakamega senatorial position, would be facing Dr Boni Khalwale and university don Prof Khasiani Shanyisa.
Oparanya will be battling it out with Housing Minister Soita Shitanda (New Ford-Kenya), former Nyanza PC Paul Olando and former Turkana North DC Albert Mwilitsa for the seat.
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