Keep the faith, Raila and Kalonzo tell supporters

 

Cord MPs and Senators follow Supreme Court proceedings on TV March 27, 2013 before a strategy meeting at the Cooperative College in Karen, Nairobi. Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka urged supporters to remain optimistic ahead of the landmark ruling on the presidential election petition. ISAAC ONGIRI  

By ISAAC ONGIRI iongiri@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Thursday, March 28   2013 at  13:12

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka have urged supporters to remain optimistic ahead of the landmark ruling on the presidential election petition by the Supreme Court expected Saturday.

Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka met about 160 MPs and Senators from the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) Wednesday evening and encouraged them not lose hope saying they were closely monitoring the political situation in the country with a lot of optimism.

The meeting at the Cooperative College in Karen also strategised on how to engage with other political parties in parliament to ensure the Cord coalition’s agenda succeeds despite its reduced numbers.

At the meeting, Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka told the leaders they are ready to mount a reorganised campaign in case of a run-off urging members to consider Cord’s current predicament a temporary situation.

“This is only a temporary position. Things will soon be all right. Please let's no one lose hope,” Mr Odinga stated.

Mr Musyoka called for calm among party supporters and leaders and expressed confidence that the judicial process would resolve the electoral dispute.

“Let us be bold and courageous. When we are bonded and corded together whatever the issue we shall always triumph. Let us all support this course and work as a team. No one should despair,” Mr Musyoka told Cord leaders.

He also took the opportunity to dismiss speculation about his commitment to the cause insisting: “I will be the last man to leave Cord."

The meeting was also attended by Cord’s East African Legislative Assembly MPs and was also addressed by Wiper Democratic Party (WDP) chairman David Musila and ODM Secretary General  Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o.

“This is a consultative forum to ensure that we engage each other on matters of national importance and for the national good as a coalition so as to drive our legislative agenda,” said Prof Nyong’o.

Kisumu Town West MP Olago Aluoch (Ford Kenya) said that there was an agreement among party members that issues revolving around parliamentary committees be revisited after the recess expected to start Friday.

“We agreed that we take a break and when we are back in six weeks we can then deal with issues of committees," the legislator stated.

The coalition is also expected to nominate at least three of its members to the powerful Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) to be reconstituted after the recess.

Tigania East MP Mpuri Aburi said coalition leaders had agreed to unite and to remain steadfast to ensure the aspirations of their supporters are not lost.

“The strategy is to remain united and to work together. We have agreed that we will move forward together to ensure we push through our desires by working closely with those with whom we share same ideals,” he stated.

The coalition has also planned a major retreat to be convened after the court ruling on Saturday to discuss its future.