Sunday, June 10, 2012

Kosgey’s running mate claim complicates ODM politics in R. Valley


Kosgey’s running mate claim complicates ODM politics in R. Valley

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By SAMUEL KOECH skkoech@ke.nationmedia.com AND JONATHAN KOMEN jkomen@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, June 9  2012 at  21:49
Suspended Cabinet minister Henry Kosgey’s decision to declare his interest in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) running mate slot is likely to complicate the politics of the populous Rift Valley ahead of the elections.
The Tinderet MP’s move is likely to improve ODM’s declining fortunes among the Kalenjin occasioned by the defection of key allies to opposing camps.
Last weekend, Mr Kosgey caused excitement at a funds drive in Ngeria, Eldoret South, after he publicly asked Mr Odinga to name him as his running mate.
The request was rather unexpected considering that Mr Kosgey, who is also the ODM chairman, had kept a low profile for nearly two years after he was named by the International Criminal Court as a suspect of the 2007/2008 post-election violence. He was, however, cleared after ICC judges declined to confirm his case.
Making his case last week, Mr Kosgey said he was best placed to consolidate the Rift Valley vote for Mr Odinga.
“I am ready to take up the slot of deputy president when we converge at Kasarani for the National Delegates Conference. And please vote for me as Raila’s running mate,” he said.
Wooing electorate
The former Industrialisation minister said he was best placed to handle the onerous task of wooing back the Kalenjin electorate, most of whom are perceived to have followed Eldoret North MP William Ruto into the United Republican Party (URP).
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Mr Kosgey also stated that he hopes to take up the position of deputy prime minister following defection of Mr Musalia Mudavadi to the United Democratic Forum Party a month ago.
Mr Kosgey exuded confidence that with his help, Mr Odinga will occupy State House after the General Election. “If only we (Kalenjin) are given a running mate slot, I am sure that we shall form the next government,” he added.
Mr Kosgey is among the Kalenjin MPs who have stuck with ODM despite majority of their colleagues from the region defecting to URP.
Others who have stuck with Mr Odinga include Cabinet ministers Margaret Kamar (Higher Education), Dr Sally Kosgei (Agriculture), Mr Franklin Bett (Roads) and assistant minister Magerer Langat.
Mr Kosgey was instrumental in marshalling the Kalenjin vote behind Mr Odinga for the 2007 General Election, and remains the senior-most politician from the community in Parliament today.
However, his latest statement puts Mr Odinga in a tricky position considering the fact that Mr Bett has also asked Mr Odinga to pick him as his running mate.
Mr Bett said Mr Kosgey’s legal tribulations prompted him to aspire for the number two slot and also, “because Mr Kosgey had become inactive in ODM party politics partly due to the magnitude of cases hanging before him in court”.
Mr Kosgey is currently facing charges of misuse of office while he was the minister of Industrialisation. The case is up for ruling later this month.
Mr Bett argues that the ethnic arithmetic gives the Kalenjin community better chance of shaping ODM politics.
“I am seeing an opportunity emerging from the horizon. We need to use the numbers of the Kalenjin to bargain for our share and leaders and even advocate for pro-rata application of sharing political goodies,” he added.
The Roads minister comes from the populous Kipsigis, a Kalenjin sub-tribe. Mr Kosgey is Nandi, the second largest sub-tribe, but which has produced more prominent politicians than the former.
While welcoming Mr Kosgey’s declaration, Mr Bett said although he welcomes Mr Kosgey’s declaration, he asked the Tinderet MP to brace for a tough but democratic fight ahead.
“I am ready to battle him and I will not be cowed in any way,” Mr Bett told the Sunday Nation by telephone.

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