Cord leaders hold retreat ahead of rally

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PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka (R) with Prime Minister Raila Odinga during party National Delegates Convention at Kasarani on December 10, 2012.  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By NATION REPORTER
Posted  Wednesday, December 19  2012 at  00:30

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Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka head for a two-day retreat ahead of Saturday’s convention where they will announce the alliance’s flagbearer.

The Nation has learnt that the two Coalition for Reform and Democracy (Cord) leaders are set for a “bonding” session in preparation for the convention at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park.

Sources close to the two said Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka will only be accompanied to the retreat, expected to be held in Naivasha, by a few advisers.

Reach consensus

At the retreat, the ODM and Wiper Democratic Movement leaders are expected to reach a consensus on who between them will be Cord’s presidential candidate and the running mate.

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ISSUE 1 - Job Creation ISSUE 2 -Food Security ISSUE 3 - Healthcare ISSUE 4 - Education ISSUE 5 - Energy ISSUE 6 - Water & Environment ISSUE 7 - Social Protection ISSUE 8 - Public Infrastructure ISSUE 9 - National Security & Foreign Policy ISSUE 10 - Boosting Exports ISSUE 11 - Devolution ISSUE 12 - Ethnicity

Further, the two, whose coalition also includes Mr Moses Wetang’ula’s Ford-Kenya, are also set to polish up their line-up ahead of the weekend rally.

According to the coalition agreement signed on December 4, ODM and Wiper will nominate their presidential candidate and running-mate through “consultation and consensus”.

Joint secretariat

The third partner, Ford-Kenya, will take the position of Majority or Minority leader in the National Assembly and Senate, depending on the outcome of the elections.

It is widely believed that Mr Odinga will be named Cord’s presidential candidate and Mr Musyoka his running mate.

On Wednesday, the coalition will launch a joint secretariat in Upper Hill area of Nairobi. In the meantime, Cord has set the coalition’s joint nominations for January 10, 2013.