Our relations with Raila now over, Ruto says in three rallies

Prime Minister Raila Odinga (right) with Agriculture minister William Ruto. Mr Ruto said the referendum vote was to show the PM that the community was done with him and that the 2012 would be a replica. Photo/FILE

By JULIUS SIGEI AND GEOFRY RONO
Posted Saturday, October 30 2010 at 21:00

Eldoret North MP William Ruto on Saturday said he was through with Prime Minister Raila Odinga in addresses to three rallies in the South Rift region.

While hitting out at his party boss, Mr Ruto said the country could not be developed through empty talk.

He said he and other Rift Valley MPs met President Kibaki last year who assured them that Sh3.6 billion would be released for the resettlement of those evicted from the Mau forest but the process was being frustrated by Mr Odinga.

Mr Ruto said the referendum vote was to show the PM that the community was done with him and that the 2012 would be a replica.

“He thought we did not know what we were doing, but we were killing two birds using one stone,” said the Eldoret North MP.

“I faced the mighty power of the President and the Prime Minister, and the United States. We actually won because the votes we got were close to 3 million.”

Mr Ruto, however, praised President Kibaki, saying he had implemented what he suggested as a minister.

During the first rally, Mr Ruto was flanked by assistant minister Beatrice Kones and MPs Isaac Ruto, Charles Keter, Dr Julius Kones and Benjamin Lang’at.

Political undertones

The rally was billed as a fundraiser for 603 primary and secondary school teachers undergoing further studies, but it was full of obvious political undertones with many speakers telling Mr Ruto not to relent in his quest for the country’s leadership as the community was fully behind him.

Mr Ruto, who donated Sh1 million, described his work at the ministries of Agriculture and Higher Education as wonderful. Mr Keter said Ruto’s leadership was tested during the referendum and that his journey to State House was unstoppable.

He said their relationship with Mr Odinga ended because he betrayed the interests of the community despite the high number of votes he received from the region in 2007.

“Our children were shot because they blocked roads protesting the rigging of votes, but the person on whose behalf we protested has never come to say a word of sorry,” he said, adding that instead he had people evicted from the Mau forest, 37 of whom had died in South Western Mau.

Mr Ruto (Chepalungu) said the region should not apologise for voting against the draft constitution, noting they had genuine fears that had yet to be addressed. “We shall correct the faulty areas even as we implement the Constitution,” he said.

He told residents to wait for political direction and not jump on any ship. Mr Lang’at said they would ensure that all ministers implicated in scandals step aside.

The MPs also attended another fundraiser for women’s groups at Saseta in Konoin constituency and later addressed a third rally in Kericho.