Opposition chief Raila Odinga has for the first time publicly stated the 2013 pre-election pact with running mate Kalonzo Musyoka is no longer valid since Cord did not form the government.
The ODM leader strongly hinted, however, that Cord's 2013 line-up would be duplicated next year in a winning ticket with a former Prime Minister and a former Vice President.
Raila acknowledged there was indeed a signed deal with Kalonzo, stating he would only serve for one term if elected President — and hand the baton to the Wiper boss in 2017.
In an interview on Citizen TV on Sunday night, he termed the much-publicised secret pact "an agreement frustrated by circumstances" — a reference to the alleged rigging of the 2013 presidential poll.
"If we win the elections, we run the government for five years. Then somebody else should support somebody else," Raila said, describing the confidential MoU.
"But we have not yet run the government. So we have nothing to hand over. Okay. So you can see it's an agreement, which is frustrated by circumstances,
Raila's statement was the strongest hint the agreement could be irrelevant in picking Cord's 2017 flag bearer, despite unrelenting pressure from Kalonzo's allies that Raila back him next year.
A section of Wiper leaders has insisted the agreement makes the former Vice President Cord's de facto presidential candidate.
"The support of Kalonzo was not based on the election victory of 2013 and Wiper will be pushing for Kalonzo's candidacy during Cord's negotiations for a flag bearer," Wiper party secretary general Hassan Omar has said.
But Ford Kenya Leader Moses Wetangu'la, who was not part of the MoU, has said he is in the race to State House and dismissed calls he should wait for 2022.
During the Sunday night talk show, Raila said having Kalonzo as his second-in-command was the surest way to send home President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto.
"At least we have shown that this is a winning team. They always tell you, you don't change a winning team. You retain it. But the coach and the fans have a right to express their wishes. That is democracy," Raila said.
Cord's top brass has maintained Jubilee machinery rigged the 2013 polls, aided by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and Supreme Court judges.
Once again, Raila downplayed as "a storm in a teacup" suggestions that Cord could disintegrate over disagreements among co-principals over who should be the presidential candidate.
The ex-PM claimed "fear mongering" over a looming split was being spearheaded by the media on behalf of Jubilee.
"Leave it to us. It's not a matter of public conjecture or debate. Cord supporters have a lot of confidence in us. They [Cord supporters] know we will reach an agreement. It's the media which is doing it [spreading the split narrative] on behalf of Jubilee," Raila said.
Political tension and talk of discord in Cord peaked a few weeks ago after Raila skipped Wetangu'la's chaotic presidential launch on April 2.
Allies of Raila and Wetangu'la traded barbs over the incident with Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, claiming the Ford Kenya leader was wrecking and undermining Cord from within.
"I also wish to remind Honourable Wetang'ula that when the Luhya community rallied behind ODM leader Raila Odinga and Musalia Mudavadi and won elections in 2007, he is one of the people who teamed up with Mt Kenya colleagues to frustrate and steal that victory," Oparanya said.
But Raila said on Sunday night all coalition leaders have been cautioned to respect each other and let democracy prevail.
"That is the reason you can see there is calm right now in Cord," Raila said.
In a firefighting strategy, the Cord Management Committee has asked the three opposition chiefs to stop seeking each other's endorsements. The committee is led by legislators James Orengo, Johnstone Muthama and Eseli Simiyu.
"Calls for endorsement by one or the other of the principals must end. They serve no useful purpose and only create unnecessary tension and confusion. Cord will not pick its candidate through endorsements," the three told a press conference on April 14.
More on this story: Kenyatta, IEBC in deal to rig 2017 elections, says Raila
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