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| Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka during a rally in Eldoret. [PHOTO: FILE/THE COUNTY WEEKLY] |
By Titus Too
RIFT VALLEY; KENYA: Prime Minister Raila Odinga appears to have changed his campaign tactics in the Rift Valley after he secretly signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a section of Kalenjin leaders.
The MOU, seen by The County Weekly, gives key promises to the community and Mr Odinga promises to implement them in full if he wins the March 4 elections.
In return, a group of Kalenjin leaders who appended their signatures to the document have promised to use the agreement to convince the community to support him for the top seat.
Mr Odinga signed the document a fortnight ago, which, among other things, promises the region key positions in a CORD government.
Interestingly, both Mr Odinga and his running mate, Kalonzo Musyoka, signed the MoU. Lawyers from Arap Mitei and Company Advocates in Eldoret drafted it.
Mr Musyoka represented his Wiper Democratic Party while Labour Minister John Munyes represented Ford Kenya.
Also present at the signing ceremony were Energy assistant minister Magerer Lang’at and representatives of large-scale farmers and the business community.
ODM ministers from the region did not attend but sources said the signatories had their blessings since they wanted the MOU to be owned by the people and not politicians alone.
Among the key positions promised in the MoU are Chief Cabinet Secretary, pledged to Rift Valley, among other positions.
But with Kenya’s history of unfulfilled MoUs, critics are asking whether it will sway Rift Valley votes Mr Odinga’s way especially after they lost out of the running mate position.
Observers argue that Mr Odinga may have to work extra hard to convince Rift Valley other than using the MoU.
Closing in
Signing an MoU is one thing, selling it to the people is another,” says George Kipchumba, a Nakuru businessman.
Mr Odinga, North Rift farmers, businessmen and professionals entered into the said agreement that promises that his government will consider the region in high-level appointments as it tackles unemployment.
The new development may also influence the voter swing in the region as the General Election closes in.
The agreement dated January 29, 2013 was signed by Raila on behalf of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Kalonzo as a witness and Kipkorir Menjo, the chairperson of the group.
A section of professionals, farmers and businessmen met at a local hotel in Eldoret on Wednesday last week where they endorsed the agreement and also supported Raila’s bid for the presidency.
The group wants Raila’s presidency to address all woes that have been facing farmers and also create a conducive environment for business investment if the Cord alliance wins the election.
“Whereas the presidential candidate is seeking to become the fourth president of the Republic of Kenya, he has agreed with the group for the common good of each other,” the agreement reads in part.
“That the group further recognises the presidential candidate and binds itself to do all it can and all there is in its powers to drum up support by campaigning vigorously for him,” adds the statement.
The groups also made a commitment to mobilise and reach out to voters within its region to support Raila’s presidential bid and candidates in his team.
North Rift is one of the voter rich regions in the country and can make a significant influence in the General Elections.
Voter rich
Most parties are eyeing the region to get a share of votes as campaigns enter the home stretch to the polls.
United Republican Party (URP) has a popular following in the region and has teamed up with TNA under Jubilee alliance and stiffer political competition is expected in the region.
The agreement also expects Raila to promote agriculture and general economic growth of the region when elected president.
“Whereas the presidential candidate upon being elected and sworn in as the fourth president of the Republic of Kenya shall promote and develop agriculture to improve the economy and living standards of the residents,” reads the agreement.
The group wants the PM to strengthen agricultural institutions including Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC), Kenya Farmers Association, Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) if elected.
The giant cooperative, the group says, should be reverted to farmers and be restructured, revamped and resuscitated to be financially viable.
They want Cord to support KFA to ensure it plays its vital role of procurement of inputs from the manufacturers to safeguard farmers from unscrupulous businessmen.
“The government shall see to it that a fertiliser plant is established in Eldoret town as it is the epicenter of agricultural activities in the North Rift and beyond,” states the agreement.
CORD, they stated, should ensure that 10 percent of the national budget is directed to agriculture in line with Mobuto declaration.
The agreement identifies the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) as a leading market outlet of farmers’ cereals.
Leading outlet
If Mr Odinga is elected, farmers want the board structured and strengthened to avoid exploitation of farmers by middlemen.
The North Rift region has enormous potentials in Agriculture, sports and tourism and if empowered, it will become the country’s economic hub.
The professionals note that cotton growing along Kerio Valley is facing serious challenges caused by low taxation regime of second-hand clothes.
“The government shall upon assuming office, empower cotton farmers to attain the level of industrialisation envisaged in Vision 2030,” the agreement states.
Farmers want Cord to support agricultural-based universities and make research information available that can boost farming through introduction of new skills and development of good fertilisers.
Both crop and livestock farmers, they said, need to be insured to cushion them against erratic weather through Guaranteed Minimum Returns, which was in place in 1970s.
They also want taxation of athletes stopped noting that the sportsmen are good marketing agents of the country’s image internationally.
The government, it states, should instead build a sports museum in Eldoret town in memory of athletes who have made achievements globally.
The agreement also states that some challenges shall be addressed at the county level but those that are cross cutting will require the intervention of the national government for full implementation.
Cord coalition partners are expected to market the ideals of their alliance and meet expectations of the residents.
Boost farming
“All that has been agreed in the signed MOU are also in line with Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s manifesto and we are confident they will be achieved,” stated Mr Menjo.
Mr Odinga has the support of three Cabinet ministers who are running for various elective posts in the forthcoming General Election.
They include ODM chairman Henry Kosgey who will run for Nandi senatorial post on the party ticket and Dr Sally Kosgei, who will defend her Aldai seat.
Prof Margaret Kamar will also run for the Uasin Gishu governor’s post in the polls.
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