Raila, Kalonzo 2013 MOU threatens opposition NASA unity

The Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader, Musalia Mudavadi, now says the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered by his opposition counterparts – Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka, ceased to exist after the formation of the National Super Alliance.

Speaking to Citizen Digital Wednesday, March 15 morning, Mudavadi said that any agreement between Mr Odinga and Mr Kalonzo no longer stands.

Odinga and Kalonzo had signed an MOU that outlined their leadership pattern.

According to the MOU, Odinga was to rule for one term (2013 – 2017) and support Kalonzo in the 2017 General Election.

Mudavadi says that the only coalition agreement recognized by the opposition is the NASA pre-election deal that was signed during the formation of the coalition.

Mudavadi’s sentiments come amid demands by Wiper Party leaders for the recognition of the 2013 Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) MOU which they say demands that Raila backs Kalonzo’s presidential bid.

Last year, CORD partners questioned the implementation of the 2013 MOU between Odinga and Kalonzo.

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

The succession matrix within the CORD coalition threatened the stability and unity of the opposition with the three principals, Raila, Kalonzo and Senator Moses Wetangula all eying the Presidency.

Speaking to Citizen TV in April 2016, Wiper Party Secretary General, Hassan Omar, said 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, argued 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.

The entry of Mudavadi further complicated the equation with the four NASA principals all eyeing the flag bearer position.

It is now a wait-and-see situation as the opposition outfit burns the midnight oil to arrive at a presidential candidate without breaking the coalition.