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Kalonzo, Wetang’ula snub ODM Kibera rally


Cord co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula will not attend Saturday’s rally organised by ODM.

The rally in Nairobi’s Kibera is expected to be attended by Opposition chief Raila Odinga. The rally was organised by the ODM ostensibly “to push for justice for post-election violence victims”.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto will hold a rally in Nakuru said to be a thanks-giving service to celebrate the termination of the Kenyan cases at the International Criminal Court.

Mr Musyoka flew to Portugal on Wednesday for a meeting of political leaders on the invitation by the Centrist Democrat International.

His press team said Wiper would join the global network during the Kibera meeting.

Mr Wetang’ula and Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi, on the other hand, will be in Kakamega on Saturday for campaigns before moving to Bungoma, where they are expected to share a platform.

The Kibera rally comes amidst tension in Cord after Mr Odinga skipped Mr Wetang’ula’s presidential campaign launch at Kakamega’s Muliro Gardens two weeks ago, which turned chaotic.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale  yesterday said he would accompany Mr Wetang’ula to a burial in Tongaren, Bungoma, and then address a campaign rally in Malava constituency.

SIGNS OF CRACK

“Senator Wetang’ula and I agreed we should be in Bungoma and Kakamega counties for the two functions,” said Dr Khalwale.

The Cord rally in Kibera was meant to show unity following a sign of cracks  in the Opposition coalition, but with Mr Musyoka and Mr Wetang’ula absent, this will be far from it.

Making the announcement on Thursday, Cord’s management committee co-chairmen, Senators James Orengo (Siaya), and Johnstone Muthama (Machakos) and Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu, said that the three principals were expected to address the rally.

Mr Wetang’ula will be returning to Kakamega for the first time since the chaotic launch of his presidential campaign.

Mr Wetang’ula and Dr Khalwale are expected in Malava for a funds-drive in aid of boda boda riders from the constituency before heading to Tongaren for the burial of Ishmael Shivere, an uncle of Mr Mudavadi.

Mr Mudavadi has been invited as the chief guest at the Friends Church National Congress at the Booker Academy in Mumias.

He will be attending the Tri-Annual Conference of the Friends Church at which 1,500 top officials of the Quaker leadership in Kenya are expected.

Mr Mudavadi has laughed off Mr Wetangula’s presidential ambitions, saying he is unlikely to be given the Cord ticket.

The ANC party leader argued that Mr Wetang’ula has a long shot at presidency since he has to do battle for Cord’s nomination against Mr Odinga and Mr Kalonzo Musyoka.