Referendum was rehearsal for 2012 contest, says Ruto

By JONATHAN KOMEN jkomen@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Saturday, October 2 2010 at 22:00
In Summary

Minister’s bid likely to heighten tensions between the top party leaders

The Orange Democratic Movement may be headed for yet another row as deputy leader William Ruto announced he would contest the top seat.

Last Sunday, while at Kamagut Primary School in Eldoret North, Mr Ruto asked his constituents to prepare for the 2012 elections.

“Last time we supported the man from the lake side and if you still doubt it, the referendum must have shed some light. Although I was a lone ranger against blessings from US President Barack Obama and ambassador Michael Ranneberger, I marshalled three million (votes) and they collectively raised only six million. I believe you realised this,” he said.

He added: “If you think Ruto is only to disrupt political alignments, then you will be in for a rude shock. This time round, we will not have time for the man from the lake side or west. I am ready for it and the referendum was simply to test the waters.”

Last week, the Sunday Nation reported that Mr Odinga plans to convene a national governing council meeting where, sources said, the performance of the secretariat is likely to come up.

The party is facing a harsh reality after spirited attempts to capture the Matuga seat from PNU’s Chirau Ali Mwakwere and to prop up the late Ibrahim Ochoi in South Mugirango and to secure victory for Reuben Ndolo in Makadara all came a cropper.

Matters have not been helped by the political battle between the PM and Mr Ruto.

Contacted on Saturday, the PM’s spokesman Dennis Onyango said: “The PM feels it is time for the party to look critically at the two-and-a-half years in government and its relationship with the masses. He is not calling for or opposing reorganisation of leadership. He wants the organs of the party to deliberate and make a decision after reviewing performance and reviewing the shape of national politics with the coming of the new Constitution.”

Dr Joseph Magut, a political scientist at Kenyatta University, said all indications were that ODM would become a basket case come 2012 General Election.

“The handling of party affairs basically form the troubles in ODM. The new constitutional dispensation will see some of the party loyalists jumping ship as the party will turn out to be an ethnic outfit since Mr Odinga has relegated the Kalenjin interests to the backwater,” he said.

The Eldoret North MP differed with his party boss over a number of issues, including eviction of squatters in the Mau complex and release of suspects arrested over the post-election violence.

Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui, a close ally of Mr Ruto, said that although Bishop Margaret Wanjiru retained the Starehe seat, ODM was steadily losing its popularity countrywide over the persistent wrangles between the two leaders.

On the Raila-Ruto wrangles, Mr Kiptanui said regional balancing was considered in the implementation.

Dr Lukoye Atwoli, a political analyst, said the infighting in ODM had affected the party’s performance.

Opposed law

Last Wednesday, ODM named 14 members to sit in the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee, among them Keiyo North MP Lucas Chepkitony, who was among those opposed to the new law.

Mr Chepkitony said he was happy with his inclusion in the committee, adding that it was a victory for the larger Keiyo community.

“I am privileged to be named for this job. Communities like Nandi and Kipsigis normally get take the roll of honour and it was our turn,” he said.

Cabinet ministers from the Rift Valley, William Ruto, Henry Kosgey and Sally Kosgei, were not included in the committee.

Baringo Central MP Sammy Mwaita said political differences between Mr Ruto and Mr Odinga continue to weaken the party and rubbished the committee saying it did not cater for the interests of certain groups.

Former Eldoret South MP David Koros, a close ally of Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey, said the Tinderet MP had done a great job by marshalling support for the new law and therefore there was no need to have him on the committee.