Cord to name election line-up at Uhuru Park

Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru and Nairobi governor aspirant Evans Kidero (right) with a party supporter during preparations for the ODM rally at Uhuru Park in Nairobi on December 21, 2012. Bishop Wanjiru and Dr Kidero will face off for the seat. Photo/DIANA NGILA

What you need to know:

  • Alliance members are still holding talks on proposal for joint primaries in some counties

Leaders of the Cord coalition are on Saturday expected to unveil the team that will steer their alliance into the General Election.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Trade Minister Moses Wentang’ula will make the announcement at a rally at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park.

It is expected that Mr Odinga will be the coalition’s presidential candidate with Mr Musyoka as his deputy.

But the alliance members left a bonding session at The Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha with some pending business. Its leaders said they would still deliberate on the issue of holding joint parliamentary, senate and governorship nominations in some counties.

But a number of aspirants have opposed the move, saying, it would lock out people who deserve to be on the ballot box.

Sources at the meeting said parties forming the coalition were to hold consultations at a location in Nairobi on Friday to discuss the issue.

Speaking during the coalition’s retreat, Wiper Democratic Party chairman David Musila said the Naivasha talks “progressed” well, adding that they were now more united. “We had very fruitful deliberations during the retreat,” he told journalists.

Pressed further, Mr Musila said they were yet to finalise several issues and would continue with discussions.

He, however, said they would hold joint nominations in some of the areas.

Mr Musila said it was the prerogative of the Cord’s Executive Board to decide where such joint nominations will be held. Mr Musila and Public Service Minister Dalmas Otieno are co-chairing the board.

Mr Otieno echoed similar sentiments, saying the alliance was focused and committed to harmony.

“We don’t want to release piecemeal information on the deliberations between alliance members,” he said.

Mr Odinga, the Orange Democratic Movement presidential aspirant, and Mr Musyoka of WDM attended the meeting on Thursday night and left early on Friday.

Others present included Cabinet ministers Henry Kosgey, James Orengo, Paul Otuoma, Musa Sirma and John Munyes. MPs Bifwoli Wakoli, Johnstone Muthama, Mohamed Affey and Eseli Simiyu, and former MP Omingo Magara were also in attendance.

“Tomorrow’s rally at Uhuru Park will speak for itself and will be the beginning of a grand march to a new and honest political dispensation for Kenya,” Education Minister Mutula Kilonzo said.

Yesterday, a joint statement signed by Prof Nyong’o, Mr Kilonzo and Dr Eseli  expressed hope that their coalition will triumph over opponents despite perceptions that it was dwarfed by dismal registration in its strongholds.

“We expect, given the level of support for our various parties, to win the presidential election with more than eight million votes, at least 160 parliamentary seats, and 29 seats each for governorships and the Senate,” read the statement.

The three leaders also said that Cord is planning to win over 30 women representative’s seats and urged their supporters to attend today’s Uhuru Park rally where the coalition will be officially launched.