Bett: Why I bowed out of elective politics

By Vitalis Kimutai

Roads Minister Franklin Bett early in the week announced he would not contest any elective post in the General Election, but would concentrate on campaigning for the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy in the Rift Valley.

However, he said he would not be quitting active politics as he had plans to run for president in 2017. Bett, who is the Bureti MP, previously served as State House Comptroller, PS, and High Commissioner.

He had earlier declared interest on ODM presidential running mate but had also been considering contesting the Kericho County gubernatorial post. Bett spoke to the standard on a wide range of issues, including why he quit elective politics, tribulations he faced under the Kanu regime, and his future political plans. Here are the excerpts.

QUESTION: What drove you into quitting elective politics?

ANSWER: My move should not be mistaken as a retreat or surrender but a strategic manoeuvre in the battle without compromising my principles and beliefs at the altar of political convenience. I will not be away for long. After the elections, I will take time to reflect on my 33 years of service to this nation, to write my memoirs and then to prepare to offer myself for the presidency in 2017.

Comment on claims that you opted out of elective politics after losing in your quest to clinch the presidential running mate position in ODM, which has now been taken up by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka in the Cord alliance.

I have no complaints whatsoever. It is clear Kalonzo will deliver more votes to Cord alliance as Raila’s running mate as compared to Henry Koskey or me. The running mate has more to do with value addition than anything else.

It is also claimed that you stood little chance of getting re-elected to Parliament or to the position of the Governor of Kericho County because of the fact that URP strong in South Rift.

I have never been afraid of going against the grain and this would not be any different. I am going to campaign for Cord in a region considered a URP zone. I am confident that in the end my team will win.

Today, I dare say all MPs in Rift Valley may be elected on a URP ticket, but it would not surprise me if what happened in Kisii region in 2002 is replicated (in Rift Valley) where all MPs were elected on a Ford-People party ticket but their presidential candidate Simeon Nyachae did not become president.

During the 2010 constitutional referendum, I was in the ‘Yes’ team when my constituents and the region were predominantly ‘No’. I lost in the local situation by delivering 1,700 votes in a constituency where 53,000 voters voted against the Constitution, but in the national aggregate, the ‘Yes’ team won. I am confident the same will apply in the election where Cord will triumph against Jubilee coalition.

Have you been promised a Cabinet position in Cord if it forms the next government?

In 2002, how did you end up as the chief campaigner for Narc in Rift Valley, a region that was predominantly Kanu?

I did not see how I was going to be in the same team (Kanu) with those who had worked hard for my downfall and I decided to join Narc.

Kibaki and Raila picked me out to co-ordinate campaigns in Rift Valley. President Kibaki personally wrote to me to that effect. I did my best and I was nominated to Parliament after elections.

What can you cite as your achievements as Bureti MP in the last five years?

I am particularly proud that the Sotik-Cheborge-Roret-Sigowet Road is being upgraded to bitumen standards under my charge. The same is ongoing for Litein-Cheborge-Kibugat road. I am also happy that Bureti Technical Institute became a reality under my watch. The people of Roret too are a few months away from having a pineapple processing plant through my initiative. I was also able to connect electricity to all secondary schools in my constituency, not to mention the two centres of excellence in Korongoi Girls and Litein High School.

I accomplished 96 per cent of all that I had set out to do in my 2007 manifesto. However, I lost out on two – I badly wanted to set up a sewerage system for Bureti Town Council in Litein town, but I bought land for the purpose.

I also wanted to put in place a system to provide sanitary towels for girls in primary and secondary schools so as to boost transition to institutions of higher learning.

What are your achievements in the Ministry of Roads?

When the history of the biggest road infrastructure development in Kenya will be written, it delights me to note that my name alongside that of President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga will feature prominently.

The completion and opening of the Sh31 billion Thika-Nairobi super highway, opening up of the Southern, Eastern and Northern by passes in the city, construction of Mombasa-Nakuru-Eldoret–Malaba highway are some of the achievements we have had.

The excitement that by the year 2016 one would drive from Nairobi to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is another key feature in our long-term goals.