By Perminus Makau.
 |
| CORD Coalition Leaders |
The Coalition for
Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has announced the method that it will use to pick
its 2017 presidential flag bearer following weeks of speculation.
During a press
conference on Thursday, the coalition management team led by Tongaren Member of
Parliament Eseli Simiyu proclaimed that its candidate would be picked through a
free and fair nomination exercise among all member parties.
CORD downplayed earlier
claims that its flag bearer would be chosen through endorsement, which had
caused internal tension which each of the three main partners declaring interest
in the position.
Simiyu said that calls
for endorsement by one or the other candidates must end. They serve no useful
purpose and only create unnecessary tension and confusion and CORD will not
pick its candidate through endorsement.
The Opposition urged
for an immediate end to debate on the contentious 2013 Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU), stating that the three principals, Raila Odinga, Kalonzo
Musyoka and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula were the only ones in a position to
discuss the matter.
According to the
contentious MOU, the President and Deputy President positions were supposed to
be filled by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Wiper Party nominees leaving
Wetangula out of the deal.
This follows weeks of
reported strained relationship in which a section of ODM members dismissed the
Senator's presidential bid, arguing that he was not part of the 2013 agreement.
However, Wetangula's
Ford Kenya party leaders on the other hand have been blaming their
counterparts, declaring that they were equal partners in the coalition and had
an equal say in the 2013 presidential race.
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