Opposition leader Raila Odinga yesterday met his co-principal Moses Wetangu’la for the first time since the Bungoma Senator’s chaotic presidential bid launch on Saturday.
The lunch meeting at Serena Hotel in Nairobi was also attended by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to stem the looming fallout within opposition ranks. The details emerged as political tension in the three Cord affiliate parties continued to simmer, with Wetang’ula’s allies claiming ODM is threatened by the growing popularity of Ford Kenya.
However, coalition insiders have accused Wetang’ula of reneging on a deal by Cord chiefs to allow the coalition management board coordinate his presidential launch rally. Confidential minutes seen by the Star indicate the Cord Management Board led by senators Johnstone Muttama and James Orengo and Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu were tasked to take charge of the rally.
“Wetang’ula reneged on this agreement and insisted the launch was a Ford Kenya affair. In fact, he hit the roof over a press statement that was sent out after the coalition meeting,” a Raila ally, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
Part of the deal was that Wetang’ula and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya would address a joint press conference at Golf Hotel in Kakamega two days to the rally to diffuse tension. The agreement was also explicit that Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale would not use the occasion to launch his governor bid.
The deal endorsed by Raila, Wetang’ula and Kalonzo also placed Oparanya at the heart of the planning, saying he would be the first to speak as the host governor. There are also claims Khalwale had organised for some ODM supporters to defect during the event.
“So how do you expect Raila to drive into such a charged rally and witness his supporters defect to Ford Kenya?” a source said.
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