Kipsigis MPs vow to stay put in ODM

MONDAY, 01 OCTOBER 2012 00:13 BY GILBERT KIMUTAI

IN TOW: Prime Minister Raila Odinga with former MP Anthony Kimetto (behind him) after he joined ODM at Siongiroi in Chepalungu constituency yesterday. Photo/PMPS

Three Kipsigis MPs allied to Prime Minister Raila Odinga has vowed to stay put in ODM.

The MPs dispel fears and speculation that they were on their way out of ODM a head of the next general election.

Led by Roads Minister Franklin Bett, they assured Raila of their support and the ODm party.

Bett said parties wooing them to join had no convincing reason to make them move out of the party.

Home affairs Assistant Minister Beatrice Kones and Energy assistant Magerer Langat said they were there to stay in ODM despite pressure and party euphoria that was sweeping through their home turfs.

Speaking at Siongiroi in Chepalungu at Prime Minister Raila Odinga has urged Kenyans to shun aligning themselves in tribal lines ahead of the next general election.

Speaking at Siongiroi Raila said Kenyans should elect leaders basing on policies and not their tribe saying tribalism had become alet down to the prosperity in the country.

 “Lets think outside tribal lines for once and we will witness transformational changes and prosperity after the next general election,” said Odinga while addressing residents of Siongiroi after opening the Catholic Church which he commissioned three years ago.

He decried ethnicity for the setbacks the country has undergone since independence saying it was time the country opens a new leaf.

“All the tribes must come together as one and vote with one thought of bringing change,” added the premier.

He was accompanied by Lands Minister James Orengo, Roads Minister Franklin Bett, Assistance ministers Beatrice Kones and Magerer Langat.

At the same time Odinga accused a section of Rift Valley leaders of misleading Kenyans with issues surrounding Mau resettlement.

Without naming names, Odinga said the leaders were using the Mau issues to scuttle his quest to be elected the president in next year’s general election.

Raila said the eviction was not his personal decision but a cabinet decision that was endorsed for the sake of the eco system which was becoming endangered.

“Those leaders who are blaming me for this were also in the cabinet and they should have opposed it while sitting at the cabinet meeting that was proposing the eviction,” said Odinga.

The Langat MP assured the evictees that they will be resettled with time saying the team task with the resettlement are trying their best despite numerous challenges.