CORD Statement on the Struggle for a New Kenya

The official launch of CORD has coincided with two momentous events that will shape Kenya's politics for decades to come. The first is that a historic 14.3 million Kenyans registered to vote, many of them travelling very long distances to do so. We know that the thirst for democracy in our country is unquenchable. At the same time, we are conscious that there are a few million others who were unable to register. That will never happen again.

The other event is the approval by Parliament of the first-ever Inspector General of Police, David Kimaiyo, who had been nominated by the President and the Prime Minister. These two events have eased many anxieties that Kenyans felt ahead of the election.

As all of us know, the upcoming election is the most definitive one of this generation. This is borne out by a level of politicking that is unprecedented in its intensity in our history. The stakes are very high but the choices are also equally clear. There are two political currents that are in contention, with diametrically opposed visions for the future of our country. One is CORD’s, which stands for fundamental change emphasizing national unity, justice for all, and equitable distribution of our nation's resources. The other side represents the status quo so deeply that it is mired in internal strife, unable to agree on anything except their distaste for those committed to reform.

Indeed, many leaders who were previously with the other side have already left after discovering there was no room for their diverse views, and that in fact there was little public support for the group’s ideology even among the people they claim to represent.

It is clear now from the figures just released by the IEBC that CORD will romp to the largest presidential victory of our multi-party era. We expect, given the level of support for our various parties, to win the presidential election with more than eight million votes, at least 160 parliamentary seats, and 29 seats each for governorships and the Senate. CORD will also win more than 30 women seats and gain the majority in more than 31 county assemblies.

But we urge our supporters to come out in large numbers since even this margin of victory will not ensure that we can push the legislative changes that Kenyans are demanding for a better life. Ours is a completely open tent which has the capacity and desire to accommodate all Kenyans committed to justice, inclusion, growth and equity. We CORD partners ask you to join us tomorrow to celebrate the beginning of a national unity and prosperity anchored for full equality for all Kenyans and their counties.

Anyang’ Nyong’o, Mutula Kilonzo, David Eseli 
21 12 12

FORA: Former Pentagon Members Grossly Short-changed in Jubilee Coalition

Jubliee Coalition Mandarins are shouting themselves horse and claiming bragging rights over the defection of former Pentagon Members who have joined their Coalition.

A closer scrutiny of what’s on offer to the former Pentagon Members has got fraud written all over it. The former members of the Pentagon together with their followers have been exposed to a classic case of 'Crocodile Liberation'.

They have been lured from dry land with the promise of being tossed into fresh waters, only to find themselves in murky predator infested waters where the alpha male crocodile, Uhuru Kenyatta is at the top of the food chain. At least in ODM the Rt. Hon Raila Odinga led as a first among equals and offered a clear succession and progression plan.

TNA is KANU rebranded and as President Moi once eloquently said, ‘Iko Na Wenyewe’. The former Pentagon Members have been duped into becoming tenants in the Uhuru Household and been reduced to hirelings, supporting casts and cheer ladies. They have joined as juniors to TNA’s Uhuru Kenyatta and his bullying lieutenants who have already declared that it’s either Uhuru Kenyatta for President or Nothing at all. Interesting this is only being disclosed after the expiration of the statutory date for coalition agreements.

Those shouting about the Pentagon Exodus into Jubilee have not factored in the fact that their continued bullying and defrauding of the former Pentagon members has quickly alienated their supporters and infuriated them to troop back to ODM as has been indicated by a recent Opinion Poll by IPSOS Synovate which listed William Rutos Popularity Rating in the Rift Valley as having dropped from 18% in September to 5% in December while Musalia Mudavadi has dropped from 26% in Western in September to 12% in December.

The reasons are clear. For instance TNA has duped the Eldoret North MP, Hon. William Ruto into dropping out of the Presidential race to become Uhurus running mate immaterial of what Rutos Political Constituency in the Rift Valley thinks. Ruto has swallowed the TNA bait hook, rod and sinker and is now willing to accept anybody brokered by TNA as his Presidential candidate. Ruto is not even interested in nominations he has adopted an ‘anybody will do’ attitude.

In the case of Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, he was originally promised that if he joined up, he would be the automatic compromise candidate for presidency only for TNA to denounce him as a junior partner (read UDF) to Uhuru’s TNA and they are gradually preparing him to settle further down in the position of majority leader under Uhuru.

Charity Ngilu is also falling into the same Uhuru trap. She was originally welcomed into the Jubilee Alliance and promised that she would be the compromise candidate. She soon realised that this was not to be and she rapidly defected to the CORD Alliance. Now she has been lured back and promised that she will participate in a sham Presidential nomination process whose outcome has already been predetermined.

Hon. Joe Nyaga on the other hand has so diminished in stature from a Pentagon Member and Cabinet Minister to a TNA Activist with no clear role in the Jubilee Coalition. In ODM he didn’t even need to win a constituency election but was nominated to parliament and even elevated to cabinet.

The supporters of these former Pentagon members are not fooled. They are in shock that their leaders have been lured and mishandled and now are pawns on a jubilee chessboard to be discarded, moved and used to checkmate the CORD Coalition when it is expedient to so do or alternatively engaged in a circus as stooges and clowns.

FORA - Friends of Raila Lobby Group

Press Statement : Franklin Bett - The Road to 2017

ODM party leader Raila Odinga (right) confers with members William Ole Ntimama (centre) and Franklin Bett (left) during a rally at Angata Barikoi in Narok County December 16, 2012. Mr Bett said he would not contest any seat in the next polls December 18, 2012 

"I have been prompted by a barrage of speculations in the media and social sites on the need to clear the air on my political stance. I am here to do that and to spell out my future plans. Much has been said about my expected decamping to TNA/URP coalition. I would like to state here and now that my membership in ODM is neither negotiable nor under review for the foreseeable future. Nothing shall prove this, more than the energy I will bring to ODM’s campaigns right from the grassroots to the national level.
 
As we speak, I have lined up a series of activities that will ensure that the CORD coalition has a strong 
presence in the whole country starting with the Rift Valley. We will win seats and compete effectively for votes with our competitors. Already, I have slated a meeting to take place before this Christmas that will bring together all ODM aspirants for the various positions in Kericho and Bomet counties.
 
In order to effectively carry this out and after consultations with my family, my party leader, colleagues, the people who elected me and the people of Kericho County; I have resolved that I will not be contesting any seat in the 2013 General Elections.
 
I know this move will disappoint many of my supporters in the constituency and the people of Kericho County. I have this to tell them: Don’t mistake this move for a retreat or surrender. This is just but a strategic maneuver in the battle without compromising my principles and beliefs at the altar of political convenience. I will come back stronger and better armed to serve you. I thank you most sincerelyfor the chance you afforded me to serve you.
 
Rest assured, dear friends, that I will not be away for long. After these elections, I will take time to reflect on my 33 years of service to this nation, to write my memoirs and then to prepare to offer myself for the presidency in 2017.
 
To those who were saying I am retiring, I wish to emphatically tell them that I am not yet done. I still have a lot in stock to contribute to this nation. Somebody once said ‘A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.’ My dream is to be the 5th President of the Republic of Kenya.
 
I take great pride in my achievements as Member of Parliament for Bureti Constituency. I am particularly proud that the Sotik-Cheborge-Roret-Sigowet road is being upgraded to bitumen standards under my charge. The same is ongoing forLitein-Cheborge-Kibugat road. I am also happy that Bureti Technical Institute became a reality under my watch. The people of Roret too are a few months away from having a pineapple processing plant through my initiative. I was also able to connect electricity to all secondary schools in my constituency, not to mention the two Centers of Excellence in Korongoi Girls and Litein High School.In fact, I accomplished 96% of all that I had set out to do in my 2007 manifesto.
 
On the national scene, when the history of the biggest road infrastructure development in Kenya will be written, it delights me to note that the name of one Franklin Kipng’etich Bett as Minister of Roads alongside that of His Excellency Mwai Kibaki and the Right Honorable Raila Odinga will feature prominently.
 
As my tenure as MP comes to a close, I take to the trenches to campaign for ODM a contended man. My electorate had asked me for development and I delivered, I leave behind my record to speak for itself.That notwithstanding, I will still discharge my duties as MP for Bureti until I hand over to my successor.
 
On March 4th 2013,please join me in ushering in a just, equitable and progressive government by voting for the CORD coalition.

May you have a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and most importantly, free, fair and peaceful elections in 2013.
 
Thank you."

HON FRANKLIN BETT, EGH, MP
18th December, 2012

Raila Odinga's Campaign Songs Released

A Special Message from the Prime Minister

My Fellow Kenyans,

As you are aware, we are at the final stages of voter registration. We seem to be lagging behind and this is a matter of great concern because our victory, especially at the local level where we need to deliver the promise of devolved governments, depends on our supporters having enough votes to elect our coalition candidates into office. 

I therefore urge you to dedicate the remaining period of voter registration to active mobilisation of all our supporters, including conducting door-to-door visits, to ensure that every one is registered as a voter.
 

Yours Sincerely,  

Raila Amolo Odinga 

Prime Minister & ODM Party Leader