Ruto's team dared over censure threats

Written By:Sylvester Ruto,    Posted: Mon, Jan 17, 2011

Two ODM members of parliament have dared their colleagues planning a censure motion against Prime Minister Raila Odinga to go ahead saying such move is bound to fail.

Gwasi MP John Mbadi and his Rarieda counterpart Nicholas Gumbo accused Eldoret North MP William Ruto and his allies of trying to intimidate and blackmail the Prime Minister.

Addressing the press at parliament buildings Monday the two legislators urged Ruto and his allies to quit the party if they are dissatisfied with its leadership.

They reiterated that ODM will remain the most popular party in the country with Raila as the defacto party leader and the flag bearer for 2012 general election.

At the same time, the two have dismissed as tribal new alliance in the offing between Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto saying that such politics will only divide the country along ethnic lines.

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

Raila said 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 held a rally in Eldoret where they are expected to announce their new party.

Elsewhere, the Parliamentary Caucus on Reforms has called on parliament to prioritize legislations that will fast track the implementation of the new constitution.

The caucus says that parliament has to work tirelessly to meet the constitution timelines which lapses in six months time.

Led by Garsen Member of Parliament Danson Mungatana the group urged MPs to put aside their political differences and focus on ensuring smooth implementation of the new set of laws.

Mungatana also expressed the need to prioritize all bills related to elections to facilitate the formation of a credible electoral body ahead of the 2012 general elections