No friction in CORD, only friendly fire – Odinga

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, Raila Odinga, has downplayed reports of friction within the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy’s (CORD) co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula terming it as ‘friendly fire’ and healthy competition.

Speaking at Orange House, Nairobi, Odinga comically compared the tag over the presidential flag bearer in next year’s General Election as that of many suitors interested in one girl adding that in the end, the girl will eventually choose the best suitor.

This comes just two days after Ford Kenya leader, Moses Wetangula, called on Odinga to take up the kingmaker’s role in CORD to ensure a win in the 2017 elections.

Speaking in Narok after officially opening Ford Kenya office, Wetangula said that having made several attempts at the presidency and failed, Odinga should support a different person to ensure a win for the coalition.

“Raila is our elder and we respect him but we want him to be the kingmaker. When we win the elections, he will have a special place in the CORD government,” said Wetangula.

Last weekend, Wiper Party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, asked his CORD co-principals to shelve their presidential quests and back him in the 2017 presidential contest.

Speaking in Mombasa, Kalonzo said that he has sacrificed his ambition for the sake of other candidates for long, and it was time others backed his presidential bid.

Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetangula have in the recent past toured several parts of the country popularizing their Wiper and Ford Kenya parties respectively.

Disquiet within the coalition continues with Kalonzo and Wetangula eyeing the coalition’s flag bearer position.

ODM has, however, insisted that Odinga’s name must be on the ballot saying he has greater chances of unseating President Uhuru Kenyatta.