Choose flag bearer soon, Cord leaders tell principals

From left: Senators Boni Khalwale (Kakamega) and Moses Wetang'ula (Bungoma) with Catholic priest George Makau Kiijvu at Malinya village on May 26, 2016, during the burial service of Khalwale's brother. Mr Khalwale, on June 19, 2016, said it was high time Cord principals agreed on the presidential candidate. PHOTO | ISAAC WALE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Wetang’ula appreciated the struggle Cord leader Raila Odinga spearheads because of the interests of Kenyans, stressing that the three of them stood a chance to face Mr Kenyatta in 2017.

A section of Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) leaders have urged the coalition’s principals to pick a presidential flag-bearer as soon as possible.

The call came from Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nominated Senator Janet Ongera, Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma and Nyando politician Jared Okello, who all said the Cord principals should, as a matter of urgency, sit down and decide who among them will be the coalition’s flag bearer come 2017.

Mr Khalwale said the Jubilee coalition’s choice was already known and it was high time Cord principals agreed on the presidential candidate to enable it strategise on how to unseat Jubilee from power.

Dr Khalwale was speaking in Ahero, Kisumu County, where Mr Okello had hosted Cord co-principal Moses Wetang’ula and other Opposition leaders during his official house warming ceremony in Nyando.

“Mr Wetang’ula, this is the time to make hard decisions. Tell us very early who among the three of you will be leading us to unseat Jubilee,” said Mr Khalwale.

Mr Okello said: “It will be needless to subject delegates to nomination of a flag bearer. The three principals should lock themselves in a room and decide who will fly the coalition’s flag.”

Mr Wetang’ula appreciated the struggle Cord leader Raila Odinga spearheads because of the interests of Kenyans, stressing that the three of them stood a chance to face Mr Kenyatta in 2017.

“As Cord principals, when the time comes we will decide who among us will face the Jubilee coalition in 2017,” said Mr Wetang’ula.

He stated that the Opposition would hold the Jubilee top leadership to account for the runaway corruption and theft of public land they have subjected the country to.