Sunday, August 28, 2011

ODM rivalries raise political heat



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Jared Nyataya | NATION Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru takes the microphone from Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny after he was heckled for saying Prime Minister Raila Odinga was blocking internal democracy in Maili Saba during Masinde Muliro’s memorial ceremony on August 27, 2011. The PM was the chief guest.
Jared Nyataya | NATION Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru takes the microphone from Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny after he was heckled for saying Prime Minister Raila Odinga was blocking internal democracy in Maili Saba during Masinde Muliro’s memorial ceremony on August 27, 2011. The PM was the chief guest.  
By SUNDAY NATION Team newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, August 27  2011 at  22:00
IN SUMMARY
  • Kutuny’s criticism of Raila saw him heckled by some people in the crowd
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Political temperatures rose on Saturday when MPs allied to Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Prime Minister Raila Odinga launched attacks against each other.
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Speaking in Kitale at a function where Mr Odinga was the chief guest, Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny, an outspoken ally of former Cabinet Minister William Ruto, accused the PM of blocking internal democracy in ODM. He said the PM should have accepted the divergent views of members instead of kicking them out.
However, before Mr Kutuny could finish his speech, sections of the crowd began to heckle him, which prompted Housing assistant minister Margaret Wanjiru to take the microphone from the MP and calm those in attendance.
Ms Wanjiru accused rebel ODM MPs of undermining the party that sponsored them to Parliament.
“We must be fair and just as leaders because it is the height of hypocrisy for someone to attack and denounce the party that has made them what they are today,” she said.
The MPs were speaking during a ceremony to mark Masinde Muliro’s 19th anniversary held at his home.
Personal interests
Heritage minister William ole Ntimama told the crowd at the memorial that most of those who were seeking support for the presidency in 2012 elections had personal interests to protect and were not promoting nationhood.
“Most of these people have been associated with corrupt dealings and we must be the wiser to understand their intentions in seeking high political offices.”
He also endorsed Mr Odinga as the only suitable candidate to lead the country, dismissing other presidential contenders as inexperienced self-seekers.
And in Nandi, a group of MPs led by Mr Ruto said that they were no longer supporting ODM and were building an alliance with Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mr Ruto praised the leadership of former President Moi and President Mwai Kibaki, saying that Kenya had achieved a lot under their leadership but it was time for him to take over.
“We should reject perennial complaints and embrace people who want to take the country forward,” Mr Ruto said.

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