I will not give the CORD ticket to an outsider, Raila says

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has urged party supporters to register as voters in large numbers ahead of the 2017 polls.

Odinga, who was the chief guest at the ODM’s 10^th anniversary held Friday night, criticized the Jubilee administration – accusing the government of failure to implement its manifesto.

Odinga has now called on Jubilee principals to prepare for a duel in the August 2017 General Election.

Odinga’s allies have begun setting the stage for the Coalitions for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) supremo, in what is deemed as his last stab at the presidency come August next year.

Ten years since the ODM party was founded in Kisumu, Odinga – who has constantly been the party’s flag bearer – is yet to enjoy the trappings of power through a majority vote, but last night the narrative was different.

Odinga hosted ODM life members, who vowed to support his 2017 presidential bid. The colorful event was attended by party bigwigs including Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi and his Kajiado counterpart David Nkedianye.

Several members of parliament also attended the dinner.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka downplayed fears that the principals were under intense pressure to make public who among them will be the coalition’s flag bearer for the 2017 polls.

However, the one-time Vice President said there was need for a change of tact, adding that their rivals in the Jubilee coalition are headed to one political party after dissolving more than ten political outfits in a week’s time.

When it was his time to address the 10^th anniversary gathering minutes before midnight, Odinga’s message was clear that the coalition will not hand over the 2017 flag to an outsider.

This comes amid claims that there have been calls and talks to have Amani National Congress party leader Musalia Mudavadi as the Opposition candidate.

“How can I leave out my partners and give the ticket to an outsider?” posed Odinga.

CORD insiders say they have agreed that ODM, Wiper and Ford Kenya continue combing up their respective constituencies and strongholds including mobilizing supporters to register as voters in large numbers.

Odinga has already planned a one-week tour of Kakamega County from Sunday – a visit that is seen as a move to seal off his Western Kenya stronghold and neutralize Jubilee’s perceived inroads in the region.