Your scheme won't succeed, PM tells Ruto

By Peter Atsiaya and Osinde Obare

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has dismissed MPs' efforts to oust him, saying plans to dim his political star would fail.

Speaking in North Rift yesterday, Raila said the war waged against him by ODM rebel MPs led by Eldoret North MP William Ruto would not see the light of day.

The PM once again dared Ruto and his allies, who are dissatisfied with his leadership in ODM, to quit the party.

"I am not scared of schemes by MPs to finish me politically. Their plans to oust me need not worry anybody," he said.

Raila dismissed the rebels as his political juniors and told them off.

"I wonder why these MPs are every day crying Raila’s name. Ruto and his team do not play in the same league with me. They are in division three. I play in the super league."

The PM added: "You will not see me moving in the law courts day after day to face various charges like some of the leaders opposed to me because I am as clean as wool."

Raila said schemes by party MPs from Rift Valley were no threats to him because his confidence was in massive support from Kenyans. He reiterated ODM was still strong despite rebel MPs intending to defect.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga joins Kacheliba Secondary School students in dance during his tour of North Rift, yesterday. He dared disgruntled ODM leaders from the region to quit the party. [PHOTO: Peter Ochieng’/STANDARD]

"I wonder why they keep on saying they are leaving ODM, yet they never keep their word. Every day Raila is their campaign slogan," said Raila.

The PM was addressing a rally at Kacheliba during a one-day tour of Pokot County to assess the drought. He was accompanied by four ODM ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Fred Gumo, Paul Otuoma, and Otieno Kajwang’. Also Assistant minister Mohamud Mohammed and MPs Wilson Litole, Julius Murgor, and Musa Sirma were present.

Vote of no confidence

Raila said the Government had released 1,000 bags of maize and another 200 of beans for distributed to starving residents. He also said Sh500 million had been released to buy livestock from farmers threatened by drought and famine.

The PM has been on the receiving end from Ruto and his allies who have threatened to move a vote of no confidence in him in Parliament. The MPs also claimed plans were under way to replace Raila with Ruto as premier.

The PM criticised some 2012 presidential hopefuls, saying they had questionable leadership records.

"Majority of them have numerous cases pending in court and cannot be trusted with leadership. I urge Kenyans to screen and ensure only a leader with a clean record is endorsed to run the country," he said.

Raila said some of the presidential aspirants with questionable credentials are fueling hatred, malice and tribalism to sneak their way into leadership.

"This country cannot be ruled by hatred, malice and tribalism. We need leaders with vision and who put the interest of the county first," he urged.

The PM denounced the KKK alliance arguing it is meant to divide Kenyans and accused its architects of being tribalists. "You cannot campaign on a malicious platform and expect wananchi to buy it," he said.