Who will fly CORDs flag as Wiper declares Kalonzo presidential candidate?

The Wiper Democratic Party has declared its leader, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, as its presidential candidate in 2017 General Election.

The announcement was made following the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at its headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi.

In a statement read by the party Secretary General, Hassan Omar, the party will also field candidates for all elective positions across the country.

However, the party has reiterated its commitment in the opposition Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) and has promised to respect agreements with partner to field joint candidates in certain areas.

The party was also quick to urge Jubilee defectors to relinquish posts they hold in the party saying those elected on Wiper ticket should also resign and pave way for by-elections.

Omar said that the CORD coalition will be registered as a party for the purpose of fielding a Presidential candidate and joint candidates in competitive areas, such as Nairobi.

The Wiper announcement comes barely a fortnight after the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) announced its leader, Raila Odinga, as its presidential candidate ahead of the next year’s polls.

In the announcement made by Mombasa Governor, Hassan Ali Joho, at the Mama Ngina Drive on Saturday, September 10, Raila was termed the most suitable candidate to dislodge the incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta from power.

The third CORD co-principal, Moses Wetangula, who is also the Ford Kenya leader and Bungoma Senator, launched his presidential bid at the Masinde Muliro Garden in Kakamega in April this year.

Should the proposal by Kalonzo to have CORD registered as a political party sail through, the three co-principals; Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula, will have to battle it out in the nominations to determine who the flag bearer will be.

ODM has also been seen as the most active partner in the CORD coalition holding several meetings in Nairobi, Mombasa and now in the Taita Taveta County this week.

As things stand now, it is a wait-and-see situation as the opposition strategizes on the best way to face Jubilee on August 8, 2017 when Kenyans go to the ballot.