Ruto sidekicks suffer in Rift Valley’s proxy war

By JONATHAN KOMEN jkomen@ke.nationmedia.com and LUCAS BARASA lbarasa@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Saturday, August 21 2010 at 22:00

The recent Cabinet reshuffle sent a strong sign about Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s relentless effort to rebuild his own support in the Rift Valley.

Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui, a close ally of Education minister William Ruto, was sacked as assistant minister for the Environment and Mineral Resources and replaced with Eldoret East MP Margaret Kamar who braved a ‘No’ wave to campaign for ‘Yes’ in the referendum.

Also rewarded was Mogotio MP Hellen Sambili who was moved from Sports and Youth docket, where she had persistent problems with her assistant ministers, to the East African Community.

An earlier reshuffle saw Mr Odinga’s political ally-turned foe Ruto being moved from the larger Agriculture docket and replaced by Dr Sally Kosgei.

Belgut MP Charles Keter, who was among those who rallied Kalenjin MPs to oppose evictions from Mau Forest, was also relieved of his duties as Energy assistant minister and his position taken by Kipkelion MP Magerer Langat, who stood by the PM in the efforts.

Dr Kosgei, who was a member of the National Reconciliation Committee headed by Mr Kofi Annan, has also been included in the 16-member ministerial team to spearhead implementation of the new constitution.

Ministers who were in the ‘No’ camp were left out of the team since they do not come from line ministries involved in the process.

“The PM could be indirectly communicating to Mr Ruto who is in charge. We expect more in future,” Prof Fred Matanga, a university lecturer and political analyst, says.

The don adds that the changes were further meant to consolidate Mr Odinga’s waning support in Kalenjin Rift Valley “as he could be wishing to work with people who support him to easily reach the electorate’’.

Prof Matanga said that since Mr Ruto has positioned himself as the self-proclaimed king of Rift Valley, the PM could not avoid running into him by hitting at his lieutenants as he picks a new crop of leaders who are loyal to him.

The reshuffle leaves Justice and Constitutional Affairs assistant minister William Cheptumo, who was in the ‘No’ camp, as the only remaining minister allied to Mr Ruto in Kalenjin Rift Valley.

The other, Communications and Information’s Samuel Poghisio, is a Pokot. Dr Kosgei, Prof Sambili, Cabinet colleagues Franklin Bett (Roads), Henry Kosgey (Industrialisation), assistant ministers Magerer Langat, Beatrice Kones, Joyce Laboso and Kamar are all behind Mr Odinga.

Mr Ruto’s group has a number of times indicated they could move to another party and square it out with Mr Odinga in the 2012 elections.

A political scientist at Kenyatta University, Dr Joseph Magut, believes there is a scheme to intimidate Mr Ruto and his close allies to weaken his influence at the grassroots and that it began when he started feuding with Mr Odinga.

Mr Isaiah Cherutich, a media consultant, says the reshuffles are inconsequential.

“Instead of investing in the future, some MPs take baits and risk losing their re-election come 2012 by accepting to replace others.

They have simply sacrificed their political future for short-term gains,” said Mr Cherutich.

He says the Premier will not sack Mr Ruto for fear he would lead his group in walking out of ODM and move into PNU.

Prof Macharia Munene, a lecturer at the United States International University, says the reshuffles and consequent sacking of Mr Keter and Mr Kiptanui will have little or no impact on Mr Ruto’s political influence.

He said Mr Ruto managed to show that he had huge support by marshalling 2.7 million votes at the referendum.Mr Odinga, who enjoyed huge support in six of the eight provinces in the 2007 elections with the Kalenjin in Rift Valley voting for him almost to a man, fell out with the community’s leaders after the formation of the grand coalition government.

First, the leaders led by Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto accused him of betraying the community by allegedly failing to fight for the release of youths arrested following the chaos that left 1,300 Kenyans dead.

Mr Odinga further angered the Rutos by pushing for the formation of a local tribunal to try perpetrators of the violence.

The group further complained about a raw deal in government appointments despite the fact that it was the first time the community was given five full ministerial positions and several assistants and other positions.

Mr Odinga’s push for the conservation of the Mau Complex through removal of illegal squatters further infuriated his opponents.