We’re in ODM to stay, say ministers

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By ROBERT KIPLAGAT and VINCENT MABATUK

Two Cabinet ministers from Rift Valley have declared that they are in ODM to stay.

Roads Minister Franklin Bett and his East African Community counterpart Musa Sirma said they would not be swayed to join other political unions such as the G7.

They cautioned the Kalenjin community against being manipulated into following some political leaders "who are guided by personal interests".

"I am in ODM 24/7. I dream ODM because I have never seen anything wrong with being in it. People should be in political parties not because of who is in it but because of its ideals," said Bett.

He said the Government does not belong to anyone and that everyone has the right to be in the Government.

Bett advised Kalenjin voters to be watchful to ensure that they be among those who will form the next government.

Visionary parties

The two were speaking in Baringo North constituency, in Baringo County during a fundraiser for the proposed Tirimionin Mixed Day Secondary School.

Bett urged the residents to join visionary parties to avoid being isolated from the next Government.

The minister hailed MPs, who have stayed put in Government, despite a fall out between ODM party leader Raila Odinga and Eldoret North MP William Ruto.

Area MP William Cheptumo called for unity in the community ahead of the next General Election.

Meanwhile, ODM rebel MPs have dismissed claims that the G7 Alliance will disintegrate. Lugari MP Cyrus had claimed the alliance is composed of rival presidential hopefuls, adding that Ruto was not part of the alliance as it is believed.

"The G7 is all about Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Internal Security Minister George Saitoti. None of them will drop their ambitions in support of the other," he added.

But Ruto allies, led by Dujis MP Aden Duale, said the G7 members were committed to their course of rallying behind a single candidate to win the 2012 presidential race.

Speaking in Rongai, the leaders advised their critics to concentrate on their own arrangements and wait to face them at the ballot.

But speaking in Navakholo in Lurambi Constituency during a funds drive in aid of Namakoye Primary School, Jirongo said Ruto and Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa do not have a chance in the alliance.

"Ruto will end up with me. That is something I am sure of," he said.

Suitable candidate

Last month, Ruto said the G7 Alliance is not about finding a suitable candidate to face Prime Minister Raila Odinga in next year’s elections but a coalition to bring change to the country.

Duale, former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara and other leaders who attended the funds drive at Maram in Rongai constituency said they would soon embark on a massive UDM membership recruitment exercise ahead of 2012.

Presidential hopeful Raphael Tuju also attended the meeting. He said he had no problem working with other presidential aspirants.