The political landscape was in turmoil, especially within the opposition. As the March 2013 elections approached, the opposition struggled to present a united front against the formidable Jubilee alliance of Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto. At the heart of the issue were Raila Odinga, then Prime Minister, and Kalonzo Musyoka, the Vice President under President Mwai Kibaki’s administration. Both men had steadfastly committed to running for the presidency, yet they found themselves divided, unable to find common ground for a coalition.
It was in the midst of this political fragmentation that the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), an influential civil society organization, played a pivotal role in bridging the divide. Their involvement was crucial in the formation of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord), a political alliance that would eventually challenge the Jubilee government.
The Strained Opposition
At the time, Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka were the two main figures representing the opposition to the ruling government. Raila was riding high after his prominent role in the successful push for the new Constitution, while Kalonzo, though a seasoned politician, struggled to carve out a clear path for his own presidential ambitions. Despite their shared political history and ideological alignment, both men remained adamant that they should be the ones to lead the opposition in the coming elections.
Meanwhile, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto had united under the Jubilee Alliance, presenting a formidable challenge to the opposition. Kalonzo Musyoka, recognizing the strength of their alliance, made a bold attempt to join forces with them. However, his attempts were quickly rebuffed, forcing him to reconsider his options.
The Role of KHRC
Recognizing the urgency of unifying the opposition, the KHRC, under the leadership of executive director George Kegoro, became the key mediator in bringing together Raila and Kalonzo. Kegoro revealed that it was Raila’s side that initially reached out to KHRC, seeking their assistance in consolidating the fragmented opposition and creating a coalition that could challenge Jubilee.
The pressure was mounting as time was running out for the opposition to form a cohesive strategy for the elections. Kegoro recounted how the internal divisions within the opposition made it difficult for Raila and Kalonzo to communicate directly, despite their shared political goals. This disunity led the Kenya Human Rights Commission to take on the delicate task of facilitating negotiations between the two leaders.
To kickstart the process, Kegoro contacted Makau Mutua, the chairman of the KHRC board, who had been a prominent voice in Kenya’s pro-democracy movement. Mutua not only approved the mission but also played an active role in brokering the peace between Raila and Kalonzo. In a series of behind-the-scenes meetings, Mutua flew to Nairobi and met with both leaders separately, guiding them towards the realization that their collective strength could outweigh their individual ambitions.
The discussions were fraught with tension, but the KHRC’s intervention proved to be the turning point. Raila and Kalonzo, under the guidance of the human rights lobby, agreed to set aside their differences and work together under the banner of Cord, signaling the beginning of a new political alliance.
The Formation of Cord
The formation of the Cord coalition was a game-changer in Kenya’s 2013 elections. It brought together not only Raila and Kalonzo but also other progressive forces who had fought for the new Constitution and were committed to the principles of democratic reform. The alliance represented a broad spectrum of political ideologies, from social democrats to centrists, unified by a shared vision of a reformed Kenya.
Though the coalition ultimately lost the election to Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, the efforts of the KHRC in uniting the opposition marked a significant moment in Kenya’s political history. It demonstrated the vital role that civil society organizations could play in bridging divides and fostering dialogue in a politically polarized environment.
As the 2013 elections drew nearer, the Cord coalition became a formidable opposition force. And while the alliance did not win, it laid the groundwork for future political collaborations, proving that even in the most fractured political environments, reconciliation and unity are possible through dialogue, compromise, and the involvement of neutral mediators like the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
