CORD kicks off prayer rallies in support of Moses Wetangula

CORD kicks off prayer rallies in support of Moses Wetangula

Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leaders on Saturday kicked off a series of prayer rallies in support of embattled Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula.

The Bungoma Senator’s political career hangs in the balance after Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro gazetted court findings that he bribed voters in the 2013 polls.

In the inaugural rally, held in Kitale town, leaders urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) not to heed to government pressure in the voter bribery case. The CORD leaders advised the electoral body against striking Wetangula off the voters list, a move that would see the Ford Kenta leader lose his senatorial seat.

They said the commission would be applying double standards if it bars Wetang’ula from elective politics yet it did not bar President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto to view in 2013.

Senator Bonny Khalwale also accused a section of leaders from the community, who are allied to the government, of being behind “the scheme” to benefit financially.

Khalwale’s sentiments are similar to statements made by Bungoma County Assembly Majority Leader Majimbo Okumu during a Friday demonstration in support of Wetangula.

Flanked by Chwele residents, Okumu alleged that some politicians are secretly supporting the ‘government’s attempt to ouster Wetangula’. The county legislator called on all political leaders in the region to make their stand on the issue known. He singled out Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, accusing him of partnering with the opposition.

Separately, Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa rubbished the prayer rallies saying they are irrelevant. Wamalwa asserted that Wetang’ula’s fate is already sealed by an irreversible court process.

Speaking while opening the, Kitale ASK show the CS said  those dragging his name in this matter are misplaced because I had nothing to do with the court process.

Back at the rally, Senator Wetang’ula said he will not be cowed by the voter de-registration strategy. He claimed the move was made by the government in a bid tone down on his oversight role against the government that he accused of massive graft.

Ford Kenya General Secretary Dr Eseli Simiyu said IEBC has no jurisdiction to tackle the “politically instigated matter” saying it should stick to its work of conducting elections.

Last week, Coalition for CORD leader Raila Odinga accused the Jubilee government for being behind the move to kick out Wetangula. Raila alleged that this was a strategy aimed at weakening the opposition.

Wetangula clinched the Bungoma Senatorial seat after a by-election. CORD has used the by-election win to argue that since IEBC cleared him to run for a second time, the voter bribery claims hold no water.

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CORD kenya Moses Wetangula Bungoma Senator Prayer rallies

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