PM ally kicked out of party linked to Ruto

By Nation Reporter
Posted Tuesday, November 16 2010 at 21:00

A party closely linked to Eldoret North MP William Ruto has kicked out a close ally of Prime Minister Raila Odinga from its leadership.

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) on Tuesday replaced its chairman, Gen (Rtd) John Koech with former Kenya National Union of Teachers official Joseph Chirchir — a close ally of the Eldoret North MP.

This was seen as a calculated move to clear the way for Mr Ruto and his allies to take over the party.

UDM secretary general Martin Kamwaro, also a close ally of Mr Ruto, confirmed that the party’s National Executive Council had replaced Gen Koech.

Parties’ law

“We have replaced Gen Koech with Joseph Chirchir to conform with the Political Parties Act and the new Constitution which demand that public officials should not hold positions in political parties,” Mr Kamwaro stated.

Gen Koech was recently appointed to chair the Poverty Eradication Commission.

Mr Kamwaro said the move was taken following a letter from the Registrar of Political Parties last month asking it to adhere to the law.