The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) leaders have challenged their Jubilee counterparts to be bold enough to hold grassroots elections to formalise its legitimacy.
The leaders, who spoke to this writer, mostly from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) slammed the Jubilee party for their latest move to form one party, stating that it was not going to be successful.
Party chairman John Mbadi said there was nothing extraordinary the ‘new party’ was bringing on the table and that actually the coalition has been operating under one party all along.
“The culture of collapsing parties is taking us back to single party dictatorship and the jubilee leadership just want to hold other parties hostage in their party with nowhere to go,” said Mbadi.
Mbadi said the parties cannot conduct any election and are only interested in criticising ODM for holding elections. The range party has been boasting as the only party which has been carrying out party elections despite the exercises being marred with violence and irregularities.
“As Cord we are strengthening our constituency elections and reviewing our nomination rules for eventual incorporation and coordination,” said Mbadi, adding that the party is revamping our grass root structures.
Migori Senator Wilfred Machage said Cord is still the party to beat as it is established and stable and that there is no question on who the flag bearer would be.
“We need to see Jubilee holding elections so that Kenyans see which party is democratic and represents the views of the people,” said Machage.
He stated that Cord should re-look its current policies on accommodating minorities.
“Every vote counts. Let the coalition accommodate everyone in the coalition to make it stronger,” said Machage.