The opposition Cord, should consider holding national primaries in choosing the coalition’s presidential candidate, a Wiper official has said.
WDM Nyamira secretary general Victor Ogeto has challenged the top leadership to settle on national primaries where Kenyans will be allowed to make a choice through secret ballot at the county levels instead of national delegates.
He said the move will enable the coalition to popularise its agenda in the entire country before the 2017 elections.
“I want to challenge them to consider allowing people to choose their favourite candidate in a secret ballot before elections and this will boost our chances of beating Jubilee. The occasion will enable us reach all regions and sell our manifesto to the people,” he said when addressing Gesima residents.
Ogeto who is also eyeing the Kitutu Masaba parliamentary seat said his proposal will see a candidate who wins in a certain county get a specified number of delegates and the candidates who garners most number of delegates clinches the party ticket.
“My proposal is widely used in America and I have written to the NEC of all Cord affiliate parties to adopt it. We will have candidates win a specific number of delegates in the counties according to the number of popular votes they get. The person who wins the highest number of delegates wins the ticket,” he said.
He faulted use of delegates to elect the flag bearer directed in a confined place saying it could not be a true reflection of what people need.
“There is no fear at all because regions where the coalition isn’t popular will be allocated fewer delegates. It’s not fair to give delegates exclusive powers to choose a suitable candidate on behalf of electorates. Our decision must coincide with what the majority want. That has to be done by allowing party supporters vote,” Ogeto added.