Party endorses Moses Wetang'ula for presidency

Ford-Kenya party have endorsed its leader Moses Wetang’ula to be the party’s and Cord coalition flag bearer during its National General Council meeting.

Wetang’ula said that he will not let Cord down if he is given the coalition’s ticket.

At the same time, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka said he will back Wetang'ula should he win the coalition's ticket.

A section of Ford Kenya officials had earlier this month called for a meeting to remove Wetang’ula as party leader.

The group led by National Organising Secretary Peter Munyae, cited grievances ranging from poor leadership, party mismanagement and governance issues as the main causes for their move.

Wetang'ula dismissed talk that the coalition was taking too long in naming its candidate, saying that “timing in strategy is everything.”

“We still have a long time to the elections. Right now, each party is popularising itself and we, as the principals are talking on our own,” Wetang’ula said.

“If we agree and one of us is chosen, then we will all back that one person. If we do not, then we will go for nominations that will be free and fair," he said.

Reach out to other parties

He asked his supporters to reach out to ODM and Wiper members and ask them to back his bid.

“I want to say that I will have no problem if he is chosen to be the presidential candidate," Wetang'ula said

He lashed out at the ruling Jubilee administration for telling Cord that they had no right to ask them to fight corruption.

He said that Cord will condemn graft in every county.

“If I am to the Cord presidential candidate,” he told the delegates, “then we must endear ourselves to ODM and Wiper so that if I am chosen, they will all be okay.”

Cord principal Raila Odinga was absent and was represented by ODM Secretary-General Agnes Zani, who said Cord will remain united.