Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Cord changes tack in poll strategy


Cord changes tack in poll strategy

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PHOTO | STEPHEN MUNDIARI Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru during a rally at Kamukunji grounds in Kibera, Nairobi, on January 6, 2013.
PHOTO | STEPHEN MUNDIARI Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru during a rally at Kamukunji grounds in Kibera, Nairobi, on January 6, 2013.  NATION MEDIA GROUP
By LUCAS BARASA lbarassa@ke.nationmedia.com AND NJERI RUGENE nrugene@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Wednesday, January 9  2013 at  00:30
IN SUMMARY
  • Cord said it would still hold joint nominations in Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru and some areas not perceived to be its stronghold
  • Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Prime Minister Raila Odinga said it would be suicidal for Cord affiliates to field separate candidates in Western as it would give UDF an upper hand
  • Cord aspirants are to only compete against each other in the March 4 elections in areas where the coalition is strong
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The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy has developed new strategy to consolidate support in areas where it faces stiff competition.
The coalition also gave in to pressure from aspirants and allowed affiliate parties to conduct separate nominations.
However, Cord said it would still hold joint nominations in Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru and some areas not perceived to be its stronghold.
Consequently, the coalition has made changes to its agreement to remove the requirement for joint nominations in all the counties in the country.
On Tuesday, Wiper secretary-general Mutula Kilonzo insisted that Cord joint nominations would only be held “where necessary” in the key counties. (Read: Mutula defends Cord joint nominations)
“Cord has already provided for a procedure for nomination and those talking about joint nominations in all the counties are engaging in a non-issue. Joint nominations will be held where no party can show pre-dominance and certainty of producing a Cord candidate,’’ the Education minister told theNation.
In Western, where the party is facing tough challenge from Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi’s UDF, the coalition will compel candidates from affiliate parties to step down for those perceived to be strong.
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka is said to have told a meeting of Cord MPs at Nairobi Club on Tuesday that those who will step down will benefit from appointments if the coalition forms that next government.
Mr Musyoka said Cord was also ready to reimburse aspirants who will step down money used in the campaigns.
The VP and Prime Minister Raila Odinga said it would be suicidal for Cord affiliates to field separate candidates in Western as it would give UDF an upper hand.
Cord aspirants are to only compete against each other in the March 4 elections in areas where the coalition is strong.
The Cord leaders noted that fielding many candidates in areas where the party faced tough competition would disadvantage it.
Small parties in the coalition had complained that their candidates would be disadvantaged if joint primaries were held.
Speaking after addressing delegates from Marsabit and Wajir counties, Mr Odinga said “each party will do its nominations separately.”
“But in some areas, we will have joint nominations,” the Prime Minister said in response to some aspirants who had protested against joint nominations.

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