Prime Minister Raila Odinga hosted community leaders at his Opoda Farm in Bondo District during the festive season. Also present were MPs from Rift Valley province. Photo/TOM OTIENO
By ABIUD OCHIENG’ and ERIC OLOO newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.comPosted Wednesday, December 29 2010 at 22:04
Prime Minister Raila Odinga spent the festive season courting elders from different communities in what is seen as a vote hunt strategy for 2012 polls.
Mr Odinga hosted community elders and five MPs from Rift Valley Province in his Bondo home.
The Mau Forest resettlement, the Ocampo Six list and the pre-2007 election pledges were some of the issues the leaders wanted the PM to address if he wanted to tilt votes in his favour in 2012.
The MPs were Dr Joyce Laboso (Sotik), Mr Musa Sirma (nominated), Mr Magerer Langat (Kipkelion), Mr Lukas Chepkitonyi (Keiyo North) and Mr Julius Murgor (Kapenguria).
Rift Valley, which was an important voting bloc for the ODM party in 2007, has found itself at the crossroads as deputy party leader William Ruto is among the Ocampo Six.
The suspended Higher Education minister has declared his interest in the country’s top seat. But his bid might come to nought if he is tried by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.
The PM’s ally and ODM chairman, Mr Henry Kosgey, is also in the list.
Mzee Kipsugut arap Lilei, from the Kipsigis community said they would not pull out of ODM because it was the most likely party to clinch the presidency.
“Because we baptised the PM arap Mibei, he remains so till the end. The community is solidly behind Mr Odinga,” said Mzee Lilei.
On Monday Mzee Araka Matundura, chairman of the Abagusii council of elders said the premier should unite all Kenyans first to get massive support in 2012.
Mzee Patrick Wangamati, chairman of the Luhya council of elders said the Prime Minister should meet community leaders from other parts of the country to come up with a campaign plan.
Mzee Joseph Wachira from the Kikuyu community said people should shun tribalism and support Mr Odinga, who “has demonstrated democratic leadership”.
Find running mate
On Tuesday, the Prime Minister asked the Kalenjin community to support his bid. Baringo councillor Elizabeth Chesang said the community was firmly in ODM.
Bomet elder Daniel Langat said the community was ready to give him a running mate for the next General Election.
Kathiani ODM coordinator Paul Ngei challenged the PM to bring together councillors, MPs, women groups, youth representatives and religious leaders in a similar forum.
“This is the only way to create a strong and unified political battlefront for the 2012 presidential campaigns,” he said.
Businessman Jackson Kibor said ODM would not fail if the PM listened to the voters and followed the elders’ advice.
Mrs Salome Sente, a councillor in Mt Elgon asked the PM to help stop militia activities in thedistrict. She urged him to resettle Mt Elgon squatters and Mau Forest evictees.
ODM secretary for women affairs Alice Kering said Kalenjin IDPs should equally benefit from the government goodies being given to other displaced families in other provinces.
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