CORD may call experts to pick 2017 presidential candidate

From left to right: Kalonzo Musyoka, ODM nominated senator Dr. Agnes Zani, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Ford-Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula speaking at the orange House. Photo by: Mbugua Kibera/Standard

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has started the process of identifying its 2017 presidential candidate, 13 months to the General Election.

In what is said to be a top guarded secret for fear of infiltration by their Jubilee opponents, CORD is seriously considering engaging a team of experts to identify its flagbearer.

Each of its three co-principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula have expressed strong desire to fly the coalition ticket in the August next year's presidential election.

The early identification is informed by the fear of belated fallouts in case the coalition drags its feet on the matter. It is also designed to rob Jubilee of its continued advantage as the only coalition with an assured presidential candidate and a running mate on their ballot.

“We have started discussing the identification of the presidential candidate,” Machakos Senator and member of Coalition Management Committee Johnstone Muthama told The Standard on Sunday.

Muthama was, however, quick to downplay the significance of the early search. “I can assure you that it is a simple matter for us. We will not dwell much on it. We will easily agree. Our main concern is putting in place strategies to ensure that we form the next government,” he said.

History, however, betrays Muthama’s sentiments. In the run-up to the 2007 elections, ODM then led by luminaries Raila, Kalonzo, Najib Balala, William Ruto and Musalia Mudavadi kept downplaying the significance of an early agreement until it split into two.

After an ugly incident in July 2007 in Khadija Grounds, Mombasa, during which Kalonzo was booed and shouted down in Raila’s renowned slogans and symbols, the party split into ODM and ODM-K.

Both Kalonzo and Raila ran for President in the 2007 election, giving their main opponent, former President Mwai Kibaki, an unnecessary advantage.

“Trust me. We have learned from history and never again are we going to allow room for serious and unmanageable division. This being yet another decisive election, we are on top of things. We will shock all prophets of doom when we settle this amicably,” ODM director of elections Junet Mohamed said.

The debate of picking of a presidential candidate early enough was first started by Wiper party Chairman and Kitui Senator David Musila during the launch of Kalonzo’s presidential website at Panari Hotel, Nairobi, on June 30.

Musila publicly implored on the three coalition leaders, who were present, to agree among themselves early enough on who will be the presidential candidate for next year’s general election.

“There are challenges of picking a candidate late, which are known to you. Jubilee coalition will have an upper hand. I therefore request the three of you to agree among yourselves and give us a presidential candidate by August this year. We don’t need to go to next year undecided,” he said.

Musila’s view, said by coalition insiders to have blessings and resonance in Wiper and Ford Kenya, was not taken lying down. It was picked up as an agenda for a coalition retreat held in Maanzoni Lodge, Machakos County, on July 1 and 2.

A source, who spoke to The Standard on Sunday in utmost confidence, disclosed that each of the principals had sent a representative at Maanzoni and that if they had agreed, the flagbearer was to be unveiled at a homecoming rally for Muthama, which was held in Machakos town on July 1.

However, the representatives are said to have instead adopted a framework and the method of picking the candidate by latest end of next month.

“The members agreed on the framework, method and timeline of identifying who will face other presidential opponents in the next election,” said the source.

The retreat in Maanzoni was attended by Senators Muthama, James Orengo (Siaya), Boni Khalwale (Kakamega) and MPs Junet (Suna East), Dr Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren), Makali Mulu (Kitui Central), Jessica Mbalu (Kibwezi East) and Kilifi’s Aisha Jumwa.

Mulu said, however, that the issue of identifying the candidate was not part of the agenda and was discussed only in passing. ODM Chairman John Mbadi also downplayed the whole theme of early identification of the candidate when he spoke to the Standard on Sunday yesterday.

“The matter is rightfully domiciled in the Coalition Management Committee. I believe discussions are ongoing not just on the presidential candidate but also on identifying one coalition candidate for all the seats on offer in 2017,” Mbadi said.

He said for him, it does not matter when the presidential candidate is unveiled. “The most important thing is that we will have a single candidate for our coalition so long as it is done on time and in a manner that satisfies all,” said the Suba MP.

Pairing candidates

According to those involved in the discussions, the team of experts to be engaged will undertake research based on pairing of each of the three possible candidates as flagbearer with one or the other as a running mate.

For instance, Raila will be paired with Kalonzo as running mate, Kalonzo with Raila, Wetang’ula with Kalonzo, Wetang’ula with Raila, Raila with Wetang’ula and Kalonzo with Wetang’ula.

The pairing will result in six scenarios, which will be thoroughly evaluated on the basis of past voting patterns, Jubilee’s game-plan, regional concerns and grievances and identified election issues for 2017.

The pairing will also look at the 2013 ticket of Raila as the presidential candidate and Kalonzo as running mate, what worked, what did not work, what has changed and what has not, among others.

Both Kalonzo and Wetang’ula have already launched their presidential bids in Machakos and Kakamega, respectively. Raila has not launched his bid.