Bett, Kosgey clash in tussle for running mate slot

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By NATION TEAM newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Tuesday, July 3  2012 at  23:30

A war of words has erupted between two key allies of Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the Rift Valley who are eager to become his running mate in the race to State House.

On Tuesday, Roads minister Franklin Bett accused Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey, who is the ODM chairman, of trying to push him out of the Orange party.

Mr Bett, at the same time, told off Eldoret North MP William Ruto for challenging him to abandon his decision to become Mr Odinga’s running mate, and instead be a presidential candidate.

The minister argued that Mr Kosgey was scared of the challenge he posed in their attempt to convince Mr Odinga to name one of them as his running mate in next year’s presidential election.

I am really shocked

Mr Bett was responding to remarks by Mr Kosgey that the minister’s agenda was to divide the Kalenjin by isolating his Kipsigis community from the Kalenjin bloc.

“I have never had any problem with Kosgey. I have never spoken ill about him, and I am really shocked that he had to say that about me,” said the minister.

He spoke during a fund-raiser in aid of Kiptagich Secondary School in Nakuru County.

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“He has shown the other side of him that I have never known. He should know that he is an elder and must stop belittling others.

“If he has an issue, he should have come to me so that we discuss it. He should know that I will not leave ODM,” said Mr Bett.

Mr Kosgey was quoted in the media on Sunday saying that unlike Mr Bett, whose ambition was to become a running mate for any presidential candidate, he was satisfied by the party ideals.

However, the minister denied that he would take an offer from other candidates, saying his interest was only with the ODM.

He said the Kipsigis were given a raw deal in the government, adding that he was just speaking on their behalf. He was confident that the PM would pick him as his preferred running mate.

The feud between South Rift and North Rift was sparked by the nomination of nominated councillor Ronald Ngeny to the East African Legislative Assembly, which was, however, blocked by lawmakers allied to Mr Ruto.

Mr Kosgey was recently cleared of abuse of office charges, which has bolstered his intention to be Mr Odinga’s running mate. (READ: Kosgey’s power plan after acquittal)

Mr Ruto, who is the United Republican Party presidential flag bearer, told a rally in Kericho on Sunday that politicians who wanted to play second fiddle to others had nothing to offer to the community.

In a swift rejoinder, Mr Bett accused Mr Ruto and his allies of meddling in his political life and told them to keep off.

“Ruto should stop interfering in the politics of ODM and other parties and focus on his own party,” said Mr Bett in Litein, Kericho.

Reported by Noah Cheploen, Timothy Kemei and Geoffrey Rono