Kalonzo calls for early Cord nominations to allow for campaigns

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka wants presidential nominations for Coalition for Reforms and Democracy concluded in time to allow the torchbearer sufficient time to campaign.

Mr Musyoka, a co-principal in the coalition, who spoke at a rally in his home county of Kitui, said a last-minute search for the presidential candidate should be avoided.

“What we did in 2013, where we hurriedly formed our coalition weeks to the General Election, was not good; but now we have all the time to nominate and present our candidate to Kenyans,” Mr Musyoka said during a tour of the Mui coal basin.

The former vice-president said the Cord leadership was fully aware of the apprehension the issue of presidential nominations caused among their supporters countrywide.

Although he did not say the method the coalition will use to pick a candidate, he said the three co-principals were committed to the bigger goal of capturing the top seat.

“Our competitors in Jubilee already have their candidate in Mr Kenyatta, the incumbent President. We should also tell the country who our captain is and give voters enough time to evaluate them on the basis of their policies,” he said.

Mr Musyoka is eyeing the Cord ticket alongside ODM party leader Raila Odinga and Ford Kenya leader and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula.

Mr Musyoka parted ways with Mr Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto in the run-up to the last elections and teamed up with Mr Odinga and Mr Wetang’ula where he settled for the running mate slot.

“I have succeeded in elective politics and risen to national leadership not because of any financial muscle or big family name, but because I have remained focused on leadership,” he said.

Recently, some Wiper MPs threatened to leave Cord if Mr Musyoka is not picked the presidential candidate.

The MPs had said they will accept nothing short of Mr Musyoka’s name on the ballot against President Kenyatta, in line with a memorandum of understanding signed between the coalition partners.

Kitui Rural MP Charles Nyamai dismissed a recent visit to State House organised by Wiper MPs as an inconsequential tactic that will not sway the community’s support for Mr Musyoka.

Mr Musyoka, who was accompanied by Kitui Governor Julius Malombe and Senator David Musila, said it is now or never for a son of the community to ascend to the presidency.

He said he was leaving nothing to chance because failure to clinch the presidency would mean the region will have to wait longer before producing another leader who can compete in national politics.

“It will take the Kamba community some 50 years or more for one of their own to ascend to the presidency if we miss the opportunity this time round,” he said.