Ruto and allies courting Kosgey

By Titus TooEldoret North MP William Ruto and his allies are urging Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Chairman, Henry Kosgey, to decamp from the party.
Speaking in Tinderet constituency, Nandi County, where Kosgey hosted him at a funds drive on Sunday, Ruto told him that ODM had lost support in the region and he risked sinking with the party.
Ruto said ODM had no chance of forming the next government because it had lost the massive support it enjoyed among residents.
"ODM is going nowhere. It does not have support of majority of people from this region anymore," said Ruto.
Ruto who was the chief guest at the function at Kipsamoo AIC Church, was accompanied by Cabinet minister Samuel Poghisio (Kacheliba), Assistant Minister Kazungu Kambi (Kaloleni), Cyrus Jirongo (Lugari) former Nominated MP Mark Too and former MP Omingo Magara.
Forge unityRuto said he was reaching out to all leaders to forge unity and help bring the country together ahead of the next General Elections.
"We have a duty to unite all Kenyans. I know we can only if we work together as leaders," said Ruto.
Too said Kosgey should now relinquish his post in ODM and join forces with Ruto’s team to nationalise United Democratic Movement (UDM). The leaders said ODM supporters were joining UDM, on which platform Ruto would vie for presidency in 2012. The leaders accused ODM party leader and Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, of sidelining Rift Valley leaders who assisted him during the 2007 General Election.
Kosgey, who is viewed as Raila’s ally in the region, was, however, non-committal on whether he would quit, instead saying that residents would be fully united in the next elections.
"Nobody will split us in 2012 because our unity will be our shield. We now want to reach out to friends for working relations," said Kosgey.
He added: "Nimekata kauli kunyamaza (I have resolved to be silent) but I know what I am doing. If you see calm water, know it is deep and a strong current is flowing beneath."
Kosgey and Ruto are among six suspects facing trial at the International Criminal Court at The Hague over allegations of being behind the 2008 post-election violence.
Sunday’s meeting came barely a week after Raila held a reconciliation meeting at Tuiyo farm in Uasin Gishu County, which was attended by Agriculture Minister Sally Kosgei.
Raila said Kosgei’s "comeback" to his camp was a sign of good tidings ahead for the party.
Last year, the Agriculture minister announced that she was joining Ruto’s camp and even dared the premier to sack her.