CORD MP differs with Raila over nomination process

Uriri Member of Parliament John Kobado has supported a move to have the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) conduct party nominations, a position that differs with that of his party leader Raila Odinga.

Mr Odinga has strongly opposed the proposal by President Uhuru Kenyatta to have all party nominations conducted by IEBC in a bid to ensure transparency in the process.

In his pronouncement last month, Raila, who is also the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader said that giving IEBC the mandate to handle party nominations amounts to micromanagement, noting that every party should be given a free hand to conduct its own primaries.

Speaking to Radio Ramogi on Saturday, Kobado however said that allowing IEBC to carry out the nominations would ensure a credible process that would end cases of favouritism and discontent that have marred the nominations in the past.

He further supported a Bill to bar aspirants from hopping to other parties after failing to clinch nominations, saying it is a genuine concern among legislators from both CORD and Jubilee.

Kobado claimed that 2013 primaries were shambolic and locked out many aspirants who had rightfully won nominations from running in the elections, with their tickets being given to the ‘chosen few’.

The legislator has further assured all aspirants eying ODM tickets of a free and fair nomination asserting that they will insist that it be conducted by IEBC to avoid disgruntlement within the party.