Kosgey declares he is still with Ruto

Co-operatives Development Minister Joe Nyagah (left), and former Industrialisation Minister Henry Kosgey during their tour of three milk cooling plants in Nandi North Constituency, on Saturday. Photo: peter ochieng’/Standard

By Vitalis Kimutai 

ODM party chairman Henry Kosgey has stated that he was behind Rift Valley MPs allied to suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto.
Kosgei said that contrary to general belief that he had abandoned his colleagues who have been branded ODM rebels, he was still with them.
"I am with Ruto and my colleagues from the region. We shall move together end," Kosgei said.
The Tinderet MP said the Kalenjin had defected from ODM to a new political outfit.
"We voted for ODM to a man in the last General Election, but they did not take care of Kalenjin interests," Kosgei said.
He added: "The move to ODM by the community was more of a gravitational pull than anything else."
"We are grateful for your prayers and support as we face the International Criminal Court. We are clear in our minds that we are innocent," Kosgey said.
Kosgey spoke in three separate functions attended by eight MPs, including Co-operative Development Minister Joseph Nyagah, Assistant Ministers Aden Duale, Asman Kamama and MP William Ruto in Mosop constituency.
Return to ODMKosgei, Ruto, Nyaga, Duale and Kamama flew in the same chopper to the same rallies at Sangalo, Koisolik, and Kabiyet trading centres.
MPs at the function tasked Kosgey to convince Agriculture Minister Sally Kosgey to reconsider her recent return to ODM.
"We are sending you (Kosgey) to convince our sister and friend Dr Kosgei to our team," Kutuny said.
Kutuny said the Rift Valley MPs respected Dr Kosgei and that she should work with them.
"Your presence here is not only important, but so to your decision to go public on this issue," Koech told Kosgey.
Ruto said Kalenjin MPs were united in pushing for a new political dispensation for the community.
"Those claiming that we are divided are daydreaming and their tricks would not succeed," Ruto stated.
The Eldoret North MP said all Kalenjin leaders would be joining UDM ahead of the General Election, due next year.
Nyagah said though he would remain in ODM, he wished well MPs who had decided that they would defect UDM.
"I wish you well as you go to UDM, but let us all strive to remain united as a country," Nyagah said.
Duale said that residents of Rift Valley had a right to rally behind Ruto for the Presidency after being frustrated in ODM.
Value democracy"Those of us who have decided to back Ruto for the Presidency have been branded rebels by people in ODM who do not value democracy but embraces dictatorship," Duale said.
Kosgei has for the last one year had a on and off relations with the PM especially after he was named as a suspect by the ICC.
Last weekend, Raila visited Uasin Gishu County where Ruto’s constituency falls under where Dr Kosgei indicated he would work with him (PM).