Elders deny being part of drive to unite Raila, Ruto

By VITALIS KIMUTAIThe Kalenjin Council of Elders has denied claims it was involved in efforts to reconcile Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Eldoret North MP William Ruto.
Major (Rtd) John Seii, the council chairman, said at no time have they been involved in any reconciliation efforts between the two leaders.
"We want to set the record straight that we had nothing to do with a recent meeting with Luo elders allegedly to lay the ground for reconciliation between the two leaders," Seii said.
The chairman, who was flanked by council members David Kalesi, Benjamin Tiraito, Joel Tirmet, John Kibutit and Michael Rotich, told a press conference in Eldoret that the elders who were involved in the meeting were politicians.
they were politicians
"The group of Kalenjin elders who met with the Luo Council of Elders were political ones and not part of us. We have nothing in common with those involved except our age and common ancestry," Seii said.
They told the group led by politician Said Kaittany to always endeavour to explain to the media that they are not part of the Kalenjin Council of Elders to avoid conflict.

Kalenjin Council of Elders Chairman, Major (rtd) John seii (in blue tie) with council members in Eldoret, on Wednesday. They distanced themselves from elders who met their Luo counterparts to discuss ways of bringing Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Eldoret Norh MP, William Ruto, together [PHOTO: PETER OCHIENG/STANDARD]

Raila and Ruto have been involved in a tug of war, which has threatened to split the Orange Democratic Movement.
Ruto and a group of Kalenjin MPs from Rift Valley have given indications they would decamp to a new party ahead of the General Election.
Raila has challenged the MPs to quit the party now, saying they would leave it stronger as others would join in and help to popularise it.
Ruto and his group have struck a working relationship with Party of National Unity MPs in Parliament.
Ruto accuses Raila of being behind his court case in The Hague. The MP was suspended from the Cabinet after he was charged in court over fraud.
On Wednesday, the Kalenjin elders commended President Kibaki for withdrawing the names of nominees to four key constitutional offices.
"We wish to express our gratitude to President Kibaki for defusing political tension regarding the nominations ," Seii said.
reconciliatory tone
The elders also said the reconciliatory tone struck by Prime Minister Raila Odinga on the issue was welcome and showed maturity in handling national challenges.
At the same time, the elders demanded that the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission suspends its activities until the tribunal set up to look into claims made against its chairman, Bethwel Kiplagat, completes its work.
"We want the hearings suspended until the tribunal returns a verdict on their inquiries. If they find that Kiplagat has a case to answer, then a Kalenjin should be picked to replace him," they said.