Raila downplays threats by Rift valley MPs

Written By:Kennedy Osir/Milicent Awour,    Posted: Sun, Jan 16, 2011

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has played down threats by Rift valley MPs to quit Orange Democratic Movement.

Raila says ODM is a national democratic party and individuals not comfortable in it are free to walk out.

He expressed confidence that even in a scenario where the Rift Valley Mps joined a new party, ODM will still remain strong.

Raila spoke as Rift valley Mps led by William Ruto and joined by Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice president Kalonzo Musyoka hold a rally in Eldoret where they are expected to announce their new party.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga was speaking  has he left the country for his second phase of the mediation process of the Ivory Coast crisis where he has been appointed as chief mediator by the African Union.

Raila reiterated the need for a peaceful resolution to the West African country's political crisis but maintained that a military intervention might be used as a last resort if former president Laurent Gbagbo does not leave the presidential office peacefully.

In his first trip to the Ivory Coast Raila held talks with Gbagbo and promised him an international amnesty if he gave up power and acknowledged Alassane Ouattara as president.

So far, the AU has termed Raila's progress in the mediation process a success.             

Meanwhile, once labeled the most followed political party in the country, ODM is  feared to be on the brink of collapse following a mass exodus of MPs allied to Eldoret North Member of Parliament William Ruto whose  differences with party leader Raila Odinga are well documented. 

Concerns have arisen as to whether another coalition is in the offing.

On Sunday, William Ruto playes host, in Eldoret, to the elite of Kenyan politics, among them Uhuru Kenyatta, in another act of defiance to Ocampo's directive that those in his list should not mingle.

Former  president and Raila foe Daniel Arap Moi is also in attendance.

This comes barely a day after Moi urged disgruntled ODM members to join KANU not forgetting that majority of them are former KANU stalwarts.

Also attending the ordination meeting in ordination of Reverend Robert Kipkemoi Langat at the  Kenya Highlands Bible College  in Eldoret are  Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Communication Minister Samuel Pogishio, Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo and Roads Minister Franklin Bett While in Mombasa on Saturday, Ruto announced that their political vehicle for 2012 elections that will  unite Kenyans beyond tribal politics
is ready to hit the road.