CORD will not split over succession matrix Oburu Odinga

Nominated MP Dr. Oburu Odinga says the current perceived feud in the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) will not split the coalition.

The legislator says CORD is still intact and the turbulence being experienced in the coalition is normal in any political situation and only requires proper management.

He assured CORD supporters that there is no reason for panic, stating that the perceived disagreement between CORD affiliate parties is an internal matter that will be handled effectively by the coalition’s top organs.

Dr. Oburu noted that the debate on who becomes the CORD’s flag-bearer in the 2017 General Election will be addressed by the coalition’s leaders.

The MP said that this is just a replica of what happened in 2007 when all members of the ODM party’s pentagon team announced their presidential bid but eventually arrived at one candidate.

Dr. Oburu was speaking in Bondo, Siaya County. His sentiments were echoed by Siaya Deputy Governor Wilson OumaOnyangowho pleaded with CORD supporters to remain patient and leave the whole problem to the coalition’s top organs.

He stated that criticism and condemnation of the CORD principals who have announced their presidential ambition will only serve to put off supporters, something he says might destroy the party if not addressed at early stages.

On Tuesday, Kakamega Senator Dr. Bonny Khalwale proposed a formula that will ensure the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) stays united ahead of the next year’s election.

Khalwale proposed that the coalition adopts a 40-30-30 formula between ODM leader Raila Odinga, Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetangula and Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, to ensure amicable distribution of positions within the coalition.

“Every party within the coalition should consult within their National Executive Councils and come up with a workable formula that will be used in picking the presidential candidate,” said Khalwale.

Last week,  the CORD coalition faced another battle frontier in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2013.

The MOU dictated that CORD leader Raila Odinga be a one term President then pass the button to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka in 2017.

But the launch of Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula’s presidential bid threw a spanner in the works.

The succession matrix within the opposition has now been called into question with the three principals all eyeing for the presidential slot.