It took the frantic efforts of the Kenya Human Rights Commission to bring together Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka in 2013 to form Cord.
The sprint to the first election under the 2010 constitution was on but the opposition was not moving quickly to present a joint front against Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto.
Raila was Prime Minister at the time while Kalonzo was President Mwai Kibaki’s Vice President. Both had vowed to be on the ballot.
Uhuru and Ruto had teamed up. Kalonzo had attempted to join them but pulled out on realizing he could not be accommodated.
KHRC executive director at the time George Kegoro revealed the civil society lobby convened delicate negotiations that brought Raila and Kalonzo together as the Cord coalition.
Kegoro spoke during celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of the human rights group. He was the seventh executive director.
The lobby was formed in 1991 in the United States and was registered in Kenya in 1994 after much opposition from President Daniel arap Moi’s government.
KHRC was founded by prodemocracy activists Maina Kiai, Willy Mutunga, Makau Mutua, Peter Karethi and Kiraitu Murungi.
Kegoro said Raila’s side first reached out to the lobby to aid in consolidating the opposition and bring together progressive forces that had fought for the constitution.
Kegoro contacted board chairman Makau Mutua who not only approved the mission but also got directly involved.
“We had huge problems with our opposition friends. They were trying to consolidate themselves into a political outfit but they couldn’t find a way to talk among themselves. There was reaching out by the Odinga side but they couldn’t get things sorted out and time was running out. How could we find a way to help them?” Kegoro said.
Makau flew over and met Raila and Kalonzo Musyoka separately and they agreed to work together under Cord.