Jubilee accused of using NIS to sabotage opposition

ODM has accused Jubilee of using the National Intelligence Service to spread propaganda aimed at destabilising the Opposition.

The party accused the ruling coalition of creating rumours that Cord leader Raila Odinga planned to endorse a candidate to run for the Presidency on a Cord ticket.
ODM national chairman John Mbadi said claims that Mr Odinga would back Amani leader Musalia Mudavadi and Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka as Cord’s flag bearers were “cheap propaganda” advanced by NIS.

“We are aware of the NIS schemes on this matter and the fake opinion polls calling for Raila’s early retirement. I can confirm to you that currently we have not had any discussions and settled on any Presidential candidate as Cord. We cannot however rule out discussions with Mr Mudavadi because he is a key player. He has not yet joined Cord and therefore it is not right to say we have settled on him as our candidate,” Mr Mbadi said on the telephone on Sunday.

He said Mr Odinga’s popularity had scared Jubilee, which was desperate to dim his influence.

FLY OPPOSITION FLAG

ODM treasurer Timothy Bosire said Mr Odinga was the best bet to fly the opposition flag in the polls.

“I am yet to understand why somebody would work so hard only to hand over the ticket to another person,” Mr Bosire said in reference to Mr Odinga’s nationwide campaigns.

The Cord leader has recently toured Western and Kisii regions and is now at the Coast seeking to consolidate his support base ahead of the next polls.

On Sunday, Mr Bosire said claims Mr Odinga would step down and endorse another candidate were hyped up by Jubilee and the NIS.

“Raila has won twice and he has been messed up twice. Raila is at the forefront. His name will be on the ballot paper,” the Kitutu Masaba MP said.

He added: “Raila is on course. 2017 will not be like another year. Leadership will change. Every community knows we have been conned for too long.”

The party’s deputy organising secretary Florence Mutua said Mr Odinga should be endorsed by other presidential aspirants given his popularity.

“Why should we as a party work so hard only to give our votes to aspirants who we may not know what they stand for or believe in. How do we know if Raila endorses them they will not backtrack and support Jubilee,” said the Busia Woman representative.

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma said claims of a Mudavadi-Kalonzo ticket was a ploy by Jubilee to engender mistrust in Cord.