Cord calls a retreat as unease over 2017 rises

Cord leader Raila Odinga is set to lead a strategy meeting in Naivasha this weekend amid increasing internal disquiet over the Opposition’s approach to the 2017 General Election.

Mr Odinga, who enjoyed the support of coalition party leaders Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) and Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya) in the 2013 poll, is under pressure to back one of them in 2017.

On Wednesday, the Cord coalition management secretariat heads, Senators James Orengo and Johnson Muthama, met at Mr Odinga’s Capitol Hill office to make final arrangements for the retreat to be attended by coalition MPs, senators and governors.

“The coalition will take stock of its performance and discuss how to approach the future,” said Cord Secretariat chief Norman Magaya.

Last weekend, Wiper and Ford Kenya MPs held retreats to brainstorm before the Naivasha meeting.

Wiper urged its leader, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, to declare his interest in the presidency while Mr Wetang’ula announced he would seek the Cord nomination.

On Wednesday, ODM chairman John Mbadi said the retreat is not about presidential candidates but other urgent issues.

“That is a very sensitive matter and it is not on the agenda. We have several other issues to discuss,” said Mr Mbadi.

The announcements by Mr Musyoka and Mr Wetang’ula appear to be a reply to similar pronouncements by Mr Odinga in the past.

A top member of ODM said: “We expect things to get difficult in the coming days. We are highly suspicious of Mr Kalonzo and Mr Wetang’ula’s presence in this union before 2017. They are growing unsettled by the day and a lot is happening.”