The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has received over 200 defectors from the United Republican Party (URP) in preparation for the 2017 General Election.
The members sought for a new party after URP, The National Alliance (TNA), and other Jubilee affiliate parties announced their dissolution set for December 18, to form one party that would serve as the political vehicle for President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto's re-election.
Raila Odinga and several other Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members received the defectors who claimed that they had been alienated by URP in the recent past.
Despite not being elected members, CORD officials were certain that they would boost support in Rift-valley, which is URP's stronghold.
Jubilee Coalition was however quick to dismiss the exit of their members saying that they were free to leave.
“We are not scared. Let them leave. For us, we continue to forge forward as a party, and those who want to leave can do so at their will,” said Noah Wekesa, the co-chair steering formation of the new party.
Mr Wekesa further stated that the dissolution of the parties was aimed at strengthening the President's bid for re-election. The move has, however, met stiff opposition from Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and Meru Governor Peter Munya who termed the move as “political suicide”.
