CORD closes shop as new political vehicle, NASA, unveiled

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD), the official opposition vehicle that was used by opposition chief Raila Odinga to contest for the presidency in 2013, has closed shop giving birth to the National Super Alliance (NASA).

CORD, which brought together three political parties – the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the Wiper party and Ford Kenya, folded up to form NASA which bring on board a fourth partner – the Amani National Congress (ANC).

Unlike in the formation of Jubilee Party where affiliate parties dissolved to join the President Uhuru Kenyatta led party, the parties under NASA will remain intact and field respective candidates independently save for the presidency.

ODM, which is led by Raila Odinga, Wiper led by Kalonzo Musyoka, Ford Kenya led by Moses Wetangula, and ANC led by Musalia Mudavadi, agreed to come together under the NASA flagship to form a formidable force that aims at unseating the Jubilee Party, which is under the leadership of President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.

Unlike Jubilee, NASA has not reached a deal on the coalition’s flag bearer with the principals saying that they will unveil one in April.

NASA also plans to hold joint nominations in some areas with the respective parties being allowed to field candidates in their perceived strongholds.

The official NASA formation agreement was signed by the four party leaders, Odinga, Kalonzo, Wetangula and Mudavadi, in an event attended by hundreds of party members at the Okoa Kenya offices in Nairobi’s Lavington area.

On Tuesday, February 22, 2017 the NASA technical committee announced that it had agreed on modalities of picking the presidential candidate. This, according to sources, will be done through a nomination process where all the four party leaders will face off.

However, a section of them have insisted on negotiation saying the nomination process will give undue advantage to one of them.

NASA is also set to unveil its flag bearer towards the end of March.

The signing of the NASA agreement serves as an affirmation that the opposition has resolved to stand together despite claims by a section of Jubilee leaders that it would not stand the test of time.

Mid this month, the NASA reiterated its commitment to stick together even after the selection of the coalition’s presidential flag bearer.

The leaders, Raila Odinga, Moses Wetangula and Musalia Mudavadi said their unity is the only way they can defeat Jubilee come August 8.