More pressure is piling on the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) to make known their preferred presidential candidate who shall fly the coalition’s flag in the presidential battle in next year’s general elections amid divisions emerging in the country’s main opposition vehicle.
Despite the three CORD principals, Raila Odinga, Moses Wetangula of FORD-Kenya, and Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper Democratic Movement assuring Kenyans that all is well and the coalition shall name it’s candidate at their own time of convenience, the ruling Jubilee coalition leaders seem not to be settled without knowing who is the main opponent for their candidate Uhuru Kenyatta and his running mate in the next polls.
Two members of the national assembly from the Rift Valley region are the latest to push the opposition to name their candidate.
Kuresoi North MP Moses Cheboi who is also the acting speaker of the national assembly and his Bahati counterpart Kimani Ngunjiri said during a funds drive at the Kenyatta stadium in Kitale that it is important that the opposition makes public their candidate to be known to Kenyans.
“We in Jubilee have made our presidential candidate flag bearer Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy has been made known to Kenyans and we are ready for the battle in the next general elections and that is why we are telling CORD to also unveil their candidate to be known by Kenyans early enough,” said Ngunjiri.
On his part, Cheboi said that in any race especially athletics, one needs to know his or her competitor for him to know how dangerous they are in the coming race.
“Just like honourable Ngunjiri said the Jubilee coalition is set for the next general elections whereas you people in CORD you are still battling over who should be the presidential flag bearer, and hence Jubilee is already taking the day because in any race one needs to know their opponent,” said Cheboi.
Cheboi who represented the speaker of the national assembly Justin Muturi at the fundraising said that if the CORD coalition announced their presidential aspirant early enough it could also help the coalition as some of the supporters from other parties and coalition may consider joining the opposition based on who their flag bearer is.
The two leaders urged the residents of Trans Nzoia county to join the ruling Jubilee coalition instead of grumbling for development and complaining that there are some Kenyans who eat meat as others salivate.
“I am surprised that many of you out there are busy complaining that some of us are eating meat as you swallow saliva which is very true because if at all you know where the meat is and you have the money and the knife to cut and roast why should you complain when swallowing saliva yet that is your own choice,” Cheboi added.
Ngunjiri further noted that Kenyans should appreciate that the ruling Jubilee government does not discriminate any part of the country as far as implementation of development projects is concerned but distinguished the difference between the CORD and Jubilee coalitions.
“The difference between us and CORD is that we do not make a lot of noise and we also don’t throw stones but we implement development to all Kenyans just us honourable Wamalwa has acknowledged here,” said Ngunjiri who was accompanied by Emgwen MP Alex Kosgey.
The Bahati MP further cautioned the opposition that it will not be an easy battle for them to seize power from the incumbent president as he admitted that it is possible that over 80 per cent of the current elected leaders including MPs, senators, MCAs and others may not make it back but it will be a tall order for the opposition to claim victory from the sitting president.
At the same time, Saboti MP David Wafula Lazaro pledged to continue supporting and advocating for the Jubilee coalition exuding confidence that the new party shall emerge victorious in the next polls by sweeping seats across the country.
“As you can see here I will support and work with the Jubilee coalition and campaign for it here in Trans Nzoia to ensure that we attain victory and ensure that our people are in the next government to gain development from the government of the day.
On his side, Kiminini legislator Dr. Chris Wamalwa who also attended the ceremony cautioned a section of the CORD principals and other insiders whom he accused of trying to undermine his party leader Moses Masika Wetangula as far as his bid for the presidency is concerned.
“In CORD we know that we have three principals including Raila Amolo Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Masika Wetangula who all have equal chances to fly the flag of the party but it is emerging that there are some leaders who are trying to undermine Wetangula and we shall not allow that because his name must be on the ballot for the presidency,” said Wamalwa.
During the harambee, speaker Muturi who was to be the guest of honour but send Cheboi with his donation of Kshs 400,000, area MP David Lazaro gave Kshs 150,000, Dr. Wamalwa Kshs 100,000 among other leaders who helped raise over Kshs 4.4 million in aid of women business operators at the main Kitale market who were displaced by the county government to pave way for the construction of the new bus park and stage.
The business persons were assured by Trans Nzoia county deputy governor Dr. Stanley Kenei and chairman of the planning committee at the county assembly Andrew Kutitila that they shall all be retained at the bus stage and market immediately the construction is over before considering any new entrants.
Other leaders who attended included Trans Nzoia senator Henry Ole Ndiema, the aspirant for gubernatorial seat Maurice Bisau Kakai who gave his donation of Kshs 50,000 and Tuwani MCA Francis Daddy Were with more donations from Cabinet secretary for Water Eugene Wamalwa and Women Representative Janet Nangabo among others.
