Elders: Raila is Cord’s best bet for 2017 polls

The Luo Council of elders has ruled out the possibility of Cord leader Raila Odinga endorsing another candidate for the 2017 presidential elections.

The elders on Tuesday challenged those seeking Mr Odinga’s endorsement to prove their mettle.

The Cord leader has, however, said he is ready to back any candidate if that will mean kicking Jubilee out of power.

“Mr Odinga enjoys massive support in Nyanza, Western and Coast and it would only be fair to him if he is supported as the opposition candidate against Jubilee,” said council chairman Willis Otondi yesterday.

Mr Otondi, in an interview with the Nation at his home in Nyahera, Kisumu County, said they had met elders from other communities to rally support for Mr Odinga.

“On Monday I held a meeting with elders from the Kalenjin community here at my home and will on Thursday (tomorrow) host about 50 elders from Kisumu County and Kalenjin to deliberate on the Kisumu-Nandi border row as well as explore political avenues to have Mr Odinga win the 2017 seat,” Mr Otondi said.

He said he had also received an invitation from senior Kalenjin elders Jackson Kibor and Gideon Cheluget to Eldoret to find a possible working relationship with the community in 2017.

Mr Odinga will fight it out with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula for the Cord presidential ticket.

Both Mr Musyoka and Mr Wetang’ula have asked Mr Odinga to back them for the presidency arguing that they were best-placed to win against President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Mr Otondi said plans were also underway to meet the Luhya and Kisii elders to get their backing for a Raila presidency in the upcoming election.

The chairman disclosed that nominated MP Oburu Oginga had been tasked with the responsibility of organising a meeting with the Luhya elders.