CORD-affiliate parties will not dissolve, Khalwale says

Ford Kenya Deputy Party leader Bonny Khalwale has ruled out the possibility of dissolution of CORD-affiliate parties and the formation of one party.

Speaking in Lurambi, Kakamega County on Saturday, Khalwale faulted New Ford Kenya for dissolving and joining Jubilee saying the move was detrimental to the country’s democracy.

“It is saddening that New Ford Kenya was among the first parties to dissolve and join Jubilee even after we have termed the decision as undemocratic,” said the Kakamega Senator.

“The dissolution of parties is a way that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto are using to take the country back to a one-party state, which we will not allow.”

He called on CORD affiliate parties Ford Kenya, ODM and Wiper to consolidate their support ahead of the 2017 General Election saying a stronger CORD would allow them to beat Jubilee in the elections.

“I call upon my friends in the CORD coalition to strengthen themselves and consolidate their support so that as CORD we can have a formidable force that would ensure a win in the 2017 elections.”

There has been reports that a section of leaders within the CORD coalition are pushing for the registration of CORD as one party and the holding of  joint nominations, proposals that have been refuted by a faction of coalition supporters.

Pressure is also mounting within CORD on who will carry the coalition flag in the 2017 elections, with Moses Wetangula (Ford Kenya), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) urging Raila, who was the presidential candidate in 2013, to give way for them to run for the seat.

Close to 11 parties within the Jubilee Coalition dissolved last month and formed one part – Jubilee Party – in a move that has been termed by the party leader President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto as a move towards uniting the country.

Already speculations are rife on whether CORD leader Raila Odinga is contemplating running in the 2017 presidential election on his ODM party ticket, with Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, who is ODM deputy party leader, as his running mate.

@benjaminwafula