Raila says CORD will conduct hybrid primaries for all posts

By PETER OPIYO

Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) will conduct hybrid nominations for all elective posts come January 17.

The PM, who is CORD’s presidential aspirant, said the coalition will encourage its partners to individually conduct nominations in certain areas while go for joint nominations in other regions.

The arrangement will see individual parties field candidates in their strongholds but conduct joint nominations in areas they are perceived to be weaker.

“There are areas where we will go for joint nominations so that we solidify all the votes while in some areas we will agree that parties field their own candidates,” said Raila.

His statement contradicts that of CORD’s Joint Elections Board, which had announced that partners in the coalition will conduct joint nominations. CORD has ODM, WDM and Ford Kenya as principal partners.

Speaking at Kamukunji Grounds in Kibera, Raila assured all aspirants that nominations will be free and fair and urged those who will not win to throw their weight behind winners and support the party.

He spoke as chairman of ODM Elections Board Franklin Bett warned aspirants against sponsoring violence during nominations. He said any aspirant associated with violence during primaries will be disqualified .

“Any candidate who engages in violence at the primaries will be disqualified. I will not submit their names to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission,” said Bett, who is also the Roads minister.

Ministers who accompanied Raila faulted Jubilee Alliance for their remarks that CORD is composed of leaders who are old and have no progressive ideas.

Bett and Sports minister Ababu Namwamba accused Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto of lacking progressive ideas.

Bett said talk about age was discriminatory and that what is more important are policies being sold by candidates.

The minister said it was ridiculous that Uhuru, who campaigned for President Kibaki when he was much older than Raila, and Ruto who campaigned for former President Daniel Moi, are now claiming that Raila should retire.

“When I see Uhuru and Ruto, I see old, tired and retrogressive ideas. Look at what every candidate did with his youth,” said Namwamba, who accused the trio of doing nothing substantial.

Eradicate tribalism

He said Raila contributed to the economy of the country as a lecturer at the University of Nairobi and also fought for democratic space, while Uhuru and Ruto have nothing to write about.

Joint Government Chief Whip Johnstone Muthama, who is a member of Wiper Democratic Movement, said Raila’s presidency will eradicate tribalism and unite Kenyans as WDM Nominated MP Mohammed Affey said Raila was the right tenant at State House, as he will fight corruption and deal with negative ethnicity.

Raila, who was also bidding farewell to Langata residents as their MP for more than 20 years, said he will continue to push for slum upgrading programme in Kibera and other slums in the city to ensure that residents live a better life.

“I am still with you. The slum upgrading programme will continue and if I get the presidency, the project will even move faster,” said the Prime Minister, pointing out his Government will create more jobs to alleviate poverty.

The Independence Party (TIP) leader Kalembe Ndile said he will take Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi to court for using his party’s slogan.

TIP’s slogan is ‘Amani Kenya’ while Mudavadi’s coalition is called ‘Amani’. The Amani coalition brings together UDF, Kanu and New Ford Kenya.

Others who attended the rally were Housing Assistant minister Margaret Wanjiru, Dr Evans Kidero (both aspirants for Nairobi County Governor’s position), Maina Njenga of Mkenya Solidary Movement, Nairobi Metropolitan Assistant Minister Elizabeth Ongoro, Nairobi Mayor George Aladwa and former Makadara legislator Reuben Ndolo.