Worrying times for Cord supporters over imminent split

With barely 10 months to the general elections, the discord in Cord is becoming more evident to Kenyans.

The three Cord constituent parties of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Wiper Party and Ford-Kenya (K) appear to be pulling in different directions.

Kenyans no longer see these parties holding rallies under the united umbrella of Cord.

ODM recent activities indicate a change of strategy as they look to be strengthening their party and going it out all alone.

ODM leader Raila Odinga at a rally in Mombasa. (Photo: The Star) 

Their leader, Raila Odinga, has been crisscrossing the country, leading ODM rallies which are all aimed at popularising the orange party.

Not to be left behind, Ford K led by their leader, Moses Wetangula, has been traversing the country (outside their traditional Western province base) making a case for himself as to why he is best suited to challenge Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party for the presidency come next year.

Barely a fortnight ago, Wiper Party, led by Kalonzo Musyoka held a rally at the famous Tononoka Grounds where they declared that their party leader should be on the ballot box come August next year.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo at the Tononoka Grounds during a rally. (Photo: Citizen TV)

As part of the so-called Tononoka Declaration, the party issued Cord with an ultimatum that the coalition must name their flag bearer by Christmas so as to give them ample time for campaign preparations before August.

This stand is not shared by ODM, who seem not to be in a hurry and want the flag bearer named sometime early next year.

Nominations headache

ODM has not hidden the fact that they are the “big brother” in the coalition as they boast of a superior number in terms of elected officials including governors, senators and members of the county assemblies.

Senior officials of the orange party are rooting for joint nominations for elected posts.

This has been bitterly opposed by the others with the Wiper Party already declaring that they will field their own candidates in every constituency.

There is also a number of ‘sibling rivalries’ within the coalition that will likely see fallouts as top guns eye various seats.

Ford K leader party leader Moses Wetangula at a past campaign rally. (Photo: HiviSasa)

In Mombasa, the incumbent governor Hassan Joho, who is also ODM deputy party leader will face it off with Hassan Omar who incidentally is also the Wiper Party Secretary General, for the powerful gubernatorial position.

In Kakamega, two deputy party leaders from ODM and Ford K are gunning for the gubernatorial post.

The current Senator Boni Khalwale has vowed to unseat Wycliff Oparanya, a strong Raila ally and ODM’s point man in Western.

Such rivalries are set to be replicated in Cord strongholds throughout the country.

Western hot-bed 

Western appears to be the epicentre of any fallout in Cord.

Cord’s dalliance with another Luhya supremo, Musalia Mudavadi, has not been received warmly by Wetangula’s supporters who see him as a replacement of their leader within the coalition.

Read Also: This is why Mudavadi is giving Jubilee Party sleepless nights

Earlier this year, ODM and Ford K supporters clashed during Wetangula’s presidential bid launch at the Muliro Gardens in Kakamega County leaving several people injured.

Raila is more than determined to have his name on the ballot box in August.

Kalonzo is on record insisting that he has already sacrificed his presidential bid twice and is not willing to do it a third time round.

Meanwhile, Wetangula has asked Raila to be a statesman and be his ‘king maker’ and support his bid against Uhuru in 2017.

It remains to be seen what will transpire in the coming months which will be crucial in determining whether the Jubilee Government will be unseated or remain in power.