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Ford Kenya will now have a structured way of releasing information to the public on matters to do with the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord).
This is after the party leader, Senator Moses Wetang’ula on Monday convened a house keeping meeting, following sharp criticism of some Ford Kenya leaders by its coalition partners.
Kiminini MP, Chris Wamalwa has come under attack after he claimed that he witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2013, which stated that Raila was to be a one-term president and then support Kalonzo in 2017 and then Wetang’ula in 2022.
Turkana Senator, John Munyes who is also the party chairman led the meeting, where the contentious pact between ODM leader Raila Odinga and his Wiper party counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka also dominated discussions.
Last week at press briefing in Nairobi, CORD’s management committee officials Senators Johnstone Muthama (Machakos) and James Orengo (Siaya) denounced the MP’s claims and clarified that Ford Kenya and the legislator were not privy to details of the MoU.
Sources who attended the meeting at the party’s headquarters in Nairobi and spoke to News24 stated that Wetang’ula expressed fear that some of the statements issued by his lieutenants are causing unnecessary levels of discomfort to the coalition.
“Some of these statements made to the media are extremely unhelpful. Raila, Kalonzo and I have no issues that divide us. We should shun fanning talk of a perceived fall-out between us the co-principals,” Wetang’ula said, according to a source.
Speaking to the press, Chris Mandu Mandu who is the Ford Kenya National Organizing Secretary confirmed that a consensus was reached that Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu was best suited to speak on behalf of the party on matters touching on the coalition.
“For the remaining period until 2017, Dr Eseli will be the one issuing the official statements on behalf of Ford Kenya in Cord. He is part of the CORD’s management committee officials,” he explained.
Mr Mandu disclosed that it was also resolved that activities to popularize the party across the country will continue and the leaders will strive to woo other coalition partners and members of the public to support Wetang’ula to be CORD’s presidential flag-bearer.
“We shall soon announce the dates for our hold our National Executive Council (NEC) and General Council meetings where we shall discuss other emerging issues,” said Mr Mandu.
Leaders present apart from Wetang’ula, Munyes, Wamalwa and Eseli included; Trans- Nzoia Senator Henry Ole Ndiema, MPs Nicholas Ngikor(Turkana East MP), James Lusweti (Kabuchai), Jared Opiyo (Awendo), Ferdinand Wanyonyi (Kwanza) and Suleiman Murunga (Kimilili).
Butula MP Michael Onyura who last weekend defected from Federal Party of Kenya to the Wetang’ula led party was also present.
