Dilemma for Cord as Wetang’ula set to launch bid for the top seat
From left, Cord leaders Raila Odinga, Moses Wetang’ula and Kalonzo Musyoka at the Milimani Law Courts on January 19, 2016. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Moses Wetang'ula expressed confidence that he will clinch the Cord ticket in the presidential nominations.
Sources say Mr Odinga will promise his co-principals that he only wants one term.
Mr Musyoka is mobilising support across the country.
Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula will launch his State House bid at the end of the month and has expressed confidence that he will clinch the Cord ticket in the presidential nominations.
Mr Wetang’ula, who is also the Bungoma senator, said his survival from being deregistered by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had given him the clout to mount a presidential campaign.
The Senate Minority leader said he hopes to get backing from co-principals Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka to go for the top seat.
“I am in Cord to stay despite pleas by some Luhya leaders that I quit. I am optimistic that I will receive support from my colleagues in our endeavour to unseat President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto,” he said.
He spoke during a thanksgiving rally in Kitale.
The announcement by Mr Wetang’ula adds to the dilemma the opposition coalition is facing, with both Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka determined to clinch the ticket.
Sources say Mr Odinga will promise his co-principals that he only wants one term.
Mr Musyoka is mobilising support across the country, with the Wiper Party leader having recently met the outfit’s coordinators from 47 counties to plan for the elections.
Sources within the coalition revealed that they are looking for an international agency to help Cord agree on a candidate without a fallout.
Yesterday, Mr Wetang’ula asked residents from Cord strongholds to turn out in large numbers to participate in the planned massive voter registration by the IEBC to have the strength to vote the coalition into power.
“We want the IEBC to acquire enough gadgets to facilitate the voter registration if its officials want to prove to the country that they have not hatched a plan with the Jubilee coalition to pre-rig the elections,” he said.
He also took a swipe at the national government for allegedly condoning corruption and tribalism, which he said had hampered the country’s development agenda.
Ford Kenya Secretary-General Eseli Simiyu said leaders from the Luhya community who had hoped that the political star of Mr Wetang’ula could be dimmed are now a shamed lot.
