Thursday, October 7, 2010

Why South Rift MPs plan to snub Raila's visit

By David Ochami

Five MPs from the South Rift allied to Cabinet minister William Ruto have vowed to skip the visit to Kericho by Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto said the PM's agenda for tomorrow "is strange" while Ainamoi’s Benjamin Lang'at, claimed the subject is misplaced.

A statement from the PM’s office inviting local MPs to the meeting said Raila would hold an ODM consultative meeting in Kericho on the new Constitution. Most people in the area rejected the new laws at the August 4 referendum.

Belgut MP Charles Keter said residents did not need education on the new Constitution "unless the PM is coming to educate ‘Yes’ people". He was referring to those who voted for the new laws at the referendum.

Asked if they would attend the meeting, Keter said: "There are people to welcome him." Mr Ruto questioned why PS Muhamed Isahakia, who wrote the statement, invited MPs to a political party meeting.

ICC welcome

Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament Sally Kosgey said Dr Isahakia was wrong to do so according to the new Constitution.

Keter, at the same time, said MPs in the South Rift welcome investigations by the International Criminal Court on post-election violence. They said the ODM Pentagon should be investigated over the chaos.

"We welcome ICC. Let them investigate ODM meetings so that we have fair investigations," said Keter, who alleged that during the crisis, he was not influential in ODM to make major decisions.

The MPs claimed the ODM top organ during the 2007 elections made actionable decisions, including the call to mass action.

No comments:

Post a Comment