Cord parties ask Raila to solve primaries row

Parties affiliated to Coalition for Reforms and Democracy want presidential nominee Raila Odinga and his deputy Kalonzo Musyoka to solve nomination crisis facing the alliance.

On Sunday, eight Cord member parties rejected the proposal to hold joint primaries on January 17, arguing it was a ploy by some officials in the coalition to secure their nomination by locking out competitors from affiliate parties. (Read: Cord joint nominations rejected by affiliate parties)

At a press conference in Nairobi, the parties calling themselves Cord Partners said the alliance officials had “short-changed, manipulated and misused” them by announcing that there would be joint nominations.

They warned that they would not discuss the nominations unless it directly involved Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka — two people they said had motivated the parties to join Cord.

“I want to state it clearly that we are supporting the presidency of Honourable Raila Odinga and the Deputy President Kalonzo Musyoka. What we are not supporting and agreeing is the joint nominations,” said Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti, who is also the chair of the partners.

The parties — the Independent Party of Kenya (TIP), Mkenya Solidarity Movement, Kenya Social Congress, People Democratic Party, Chama Cha Mwananchi, Muungano Party, United Democratic Movement, Kadu Asili and Chama Cha Uzalendo— said they never agreed to the joint nomination idea even as Cord officials on Saturday announced they had consulted all the parties allied to the alliance.

“The agreement was that we support the president from ODM and deputy was from Wiper. That was all. If anyone wants our support, let it be limited to the presidency and deputy presidency,” said TIP leader Kalembe Ndile, who said his party would hold primaries on January 16.

“As for TIP, I have nothing to do with nominations from other parties. They had initially set the date for January 14, why did they change it 17? This is fraud. It is because they want to lock out some people.”

PDP chairman Steven Nyarangi said affiliate parties were called for a meeting at the Nairobi Safari Club but did not agree to the joint polls. He said they asked for time to consult their members before Cord officials ambushed them with the Saturday announcement.

“We feel that we are being short-changed,” he said.