Bungona Senator Moses Wetangula (right) flanked by CORD leader Raila Odinga (centre) and Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama (left) during a news conference at Orange House September 11,2013 where he announced the candidature of Cornel Rasanga to vie for the Siaya Governor's seat. DENISH OCHIENG
In Summary
Kalembe Ndile to contest the Kibwezi West parliamentary seat while Stephen Mule will defend his Matungulu parliamentary seat.
By election set for October 17.
By JEREMIAH KIPLANG'AT
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The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) has nominated Cornel Rasanga to contest the Siaya Governor seat in next month's by election.
Cord said it had trust in the former governor and would vigorously campaign for him to recapture the seat after the High Court in Kisumu nullified his election.
The coalition did not conduct any nominations but held a lengthy National Executive Council meeting Wednesday to pick preferred candidates for the mini poll slated for October 17.
It also selected Kalembe Ndile (The Independence Party) to contest the Kibwezi West parliamentary seat while Stephen Mule (Wiper Democratic Movement) will defend his Matungulu seat after his election was cancelled by the High Court last month.
UNITY
Cord leaders urged for unity during campaigns ahead of the by election.
"These are the nominees we have picked as a coalition. We will work together to ensure they are elected during the by-election,” said Raila Odinga, the coalition's leader.
The NEC meeting was held at Orange House and attended by Cord leaders including Mr Odinga, Senators Moses Wetangula, Johnstone Muthama, Anyang’ Nyong’o and James Orengo.
Mr Wetangula released the list of the nominees after meeting also attended by several MPs allied to Cord.
ACCUMULATE VOTES
The Senate’s Leader of Minority challenged the coalition to work together to prevail in the by election.
“We have to work together so that we accumulate votes if we are to capture these seats,” Mr Wetangula said.
Mr Rasanga attended the press briefing but did not speak.
Members had cast aspersions on Mr Rasanga’s candidature saying he could be defeated by his challenger William Oduol.
However, the leaders said they will use Cord's machinery to campaign for him and ensure he recaptures the gubernatorial seat.
Last month, the High Court in Kisumu ruled that several electoral irregularities were committed prior to Mr Rasanga’s election.
While cancelling Mr Rasanga’s win, Justice Aggrey Muchelule noted that the ODM candidate’s campaign and subsequent election were marred by fraud and there was need for a repeat poll.
Mr Mule’s election was also annulled after the High Court in Machakos found some irregularities. Although Mr Ndile was found to have won the Kibwezi West election, the High Court decided to call a by election instead of declaring him outright winner.
The coalition also nominated four other candidates for county assembly elections to be held on the same day.
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