The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) played a crucial role in uniting Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka in 2013 to form the Cord coalition ahead of Kenya’s first election under the 2010 Constitution.
At the time, Raila, serving as Prime Minister, and Kalonzo, Vice President under President Mwai Kibaki, were both determined to contest the presidency. Meanwhile, their rivals, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, had already formed a united front.
After Kalonzo’s unsuccessful attempt to join the Uhuru-Ruto alliance, KHRC stepped in to mediate. George Kegoro, then KHRC executive director, revealed during the commission’s 30th-anniversary celebration that his team facilitated delicate negotiations to unite the opposition.
With Makau Mutua, KHRC’s board chairman, taking a hands-on role, the civil society group successfully brokered discussions between Raila and Kalonzo. Separate meetings were held with both leaders, culminating in their agreement to form the Cord coalition.
KHRC, founded in 1991 by pro-democracy activists including Maina Kiai, Willy Mutunga, and Makau Mutua, had long championed constitutional reforms and democratic consolidation in Kenya.
