Battle over Rift Valley

Battle over Rift Valley

Related News

·         Raila, Mutunga share views on reforms

·         Raila: I am best in reforms, protecting new Constitution

·         Raila campaign goes digital

·         Five MPs oppose amendment to court petition

SHARE THIS STORY

Updated 6 hrs 38 mins ago

By OSCAR OBONYO

Presidential aspirant William Ruto has scoffed at political rivals in the Rift Valley region who hope to share the ticket with ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Those being touted as possible running mates, Ruto said, were “incapable of tilting the scales” in the Rift Valley. The United Republican Party hopeful added that the Prime Minister was “too smart and calculating” to name a running mate from the region.

Roads Minister Franklin Bett and Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey have been jostling for the spot in the Orange party, promising to lead the region back to ODM.

Observers say Rift Valley counties are back in play after recent missteps by Ruto with regard to appointments. Another major factor is the quashing in court of abuse of office charges against Kosgey.

The defection of Western giant Musalia Mudavadi from ODM is also a factor, having narrowed the party’s support base. Ruto also faces trial at the International Criminal Court that may knock him out of contention for president, limiting the region’s options. The URP hopeful, however, insists the Rift is politically sewn up.

“I do not think Raila (would) contemplate picking a running mate from Rift Valley,” the Eldoret North MP told The Standard On Saturday. “There is no Rift Valley – it is gone already (to URP). The PM will definitely look elsewhere.”

Ruto’s observation comes as Raila is expected to address a political rally at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium today. The ODM Reloaded team has been in the region since Friday, with stops in Baringo, Olenguruone, Molo, Elburgon, Njoro, and Mauche.

The rallies are meant to weaken the hold Ruto has had on the region over the last four years. The Eldoret North MP had a falling out with Raila not long after the 2007 General Election over the latter’s alleged betrayal on several issues, including Grand Coalition appointments, and the handling of post-election violence suspects and Mau Forest squatters.

But his hold on the region’s communities has weakened. The return of Kosgey to the foreground after surviving pre-trial hearings at the ICC and an abuse of office trial locally have given ODM a major boost in the region.

Raila’s allies in the region have also made hay of Ruto’s blunder during the nomination of MPs to the East African Legislative Assembly. Although three members from the Kalenjin community were proposed for some of the nine slots, Ruto allegedly declined to back any of them “because they were sponsored by rival camps”.

Roads minister, Bett, said this, and other issues, are “slowly shifting the ground in our (ODM’s) favour”. Observers say Ruto is aware of the shift, which explains his activity this week, ahead of ODM rallies.

The MP led politicians from URP in touring the region, using two helicopters to cover more ground. During the weeklong campaign, which included consultative sessions that ran past midnight, the team addressed rallies in Pokot, Keiyo-Marakwet, Kericho, Baringo, Bomet, Nandi, and Uasin Gishu counties.

Says former Eldoret South MP, David Koros: “ODM has intensified its campaigns in the region. This development is a source of major panic among some presidential hopefuls. In the event the PM picks a running mate from here, then it would be game over!”

However, Ruto denies being alarmed by ODM’s activities in Rift Valley.

“What some of you term as pitching tent in my backyard, was actually a campaign tour programmed a long time ago,” he says. He said it has been seven months since he last campaigned in the region. “It was a mere coincidence that it came up this week.”

Ruto argues Bett and Kosgey are lightweight politicians, “incapable of tilting the scales” in the Rift Valley. He says ODM has successfully “lied” to both they can have the deputy party leader, and running mate slots. 

ODM plans tours of Salgaa, Ngata Bridge, and Nakuru town estates early today before heading to Afraha Stadium. Tomorrow, Raila will attend a church service in Kabarak, before heading to Kambi ya Moto, Muserech, Esageri, and Kambimoi before winding up with a rally in Ravine town.

Despite losing his Cabinet post in 2010 and being an ICC accused, Ruto has maintained high profile in national politics. The backbencher remains almost as visible as the PM and Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta, who enjoy high status and privileges in Government.

Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo describes him as a “mobiliser” who is smarter than many of his political seniors and peers. This, he says, is partly demonstrated by his choice of running mate: Cabinet minister Chirau Mwakwere, who is older than him, and higher ranking.

“One must give credit to William for being a leader who has a way with crowds,” Kilonzo says. “Despite his persistent differences with the PM, he can still go to Kisumu town and cheer up a crowd.”

There have been reports of secret meetings to talk Ruto into returning to ODM. The Standard On Saturday has established these overtures are still ongoing. Asked of the possibility of regrouping with the PM, he is evasive.

“That is not part of my brief at the moment,” he said. “My focus is to sell my candidature to Kenyans and win them to my side. Hayo mengine tutajulia huko mbele (Other concerns shall be addressed later).”