Discord in CORD as Wiper claims 2017 flag bearer post

The CORD Coalition is now in another crisis as partners start questioning the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2013.

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

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

The succession matrix within the opposition has now been called into question with the three principals all eying the Presidency.

Speaking to Citizen TV, Wiper Party Secretary General Hassan Omar says its party leader Kalonzo Musyoka should be the bonafide CORD presidential flag bearer.

“The support of Kalonzo was not based on the election victory of 2013 and Wiper will be pushing for Kalonzo’s candidacy during CORD’s negotiations for a flag bearer,” said Omar.

ODM’s director of elections Junet Mohammed, however, says that an MOU is not a Bible or a Quran and it is something that can be amended.

“This coalition must last, it must work and we must stay together, we have no option,” said Junet.

At the same time, CORD co-principal and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula blamed Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya for trying to disrupt presidential bid launch at Muliro Gardens.

In an interview with Citizen Digital, Wetangula said that “Oparanya’s utterances before the launch and his despicable move to hire goons dressed in ODM t-shirts to disrupt the meeting does not ogre well will us and is not helpful to the unity of the CORD coalition, especially since he is a member of ODM.”

“CORD is not ODM and ODM is not CORD. CORD is a three-party coalition and everyone within has a chance to be president.”

Wetangula said that he dropped his presidential ambitions to support Raila in 2013, adding that it is the CORD leader’s turn to support someone else.

Meanwhile, CORD is putting on a brave face saying the unity of purpose within the opposition and its resolve for 2017 are the units binding their cords together.