Nyamira County Assembly deputy Majority Leader James Matinga has differed with his party leader Raila Odinga on the joint nomination of Cord affiliate parties towards the 2017 polls.
Raila through his spokesperson Dennis Onyango had endorsed joint nominations, a proposal by Cord co-principal and former vice president Kalonzo Musyoka.
And Matinga in a Tuesday's phone call said the move will be advantageous for the Jubilee Party since many candidates may be disgruntled and decide to back Jubilee candidates should they lose in the nominations.
“I am not of the opinion that Cord affiliate parties hold joint nominations and the party leaders should not endorse things without in-depth consultations. That idea will wreak the party and deny is majority representations in Parliament and the county assemblies,” he said.
“Those who may lose in nominations will support our rivals Jubilee and that is why it’s important for all candidates to wrestle out especially in individual party strongholds,” he said.
Matinga, however, agreed that the coalitions should instead hold joint nominations in areas where Jubilee and Cord coalitions almost have equal strength.
“The only regions which perhaps should hold joint nominations are the swing areas where the competition between Cord and Jubilee is at par. Traditional strongholds of individual parties should not be affected by the former PM’s suggestion,” he said.