Raila faces revolt by disgruntled MPs

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has called a crisis meeting to discuss simmering discontent among some of the party’s MPs.

The meeting, to be held in Naivasha next Sunday, will bring party leader Raila Odinga face-to-face with a group of MPs from the Rift Valley who accuse him of high-handedness in handling party affairs.

The MPs also accuse the Prime Minister of undermining them in their constituencies.  

Party secretary-general Prof Anyang Nyong’o denied reports of rifts in the party while party chief whip Mr Jakoyo Midiwo accused the MPs of trying to intimidate the PM.

“I am not aware of any rifts. What we have are just normal problems,” Prof Nyong’o said.

Speaking to the Saturday Nation this week, the dissenting MPs claimed that the party’s future was threatened following a cold war between Mr Odinga and Agriculture minister William Ruto, allegedly over the minister’s political ambitions.

“It is an open secret that the two are no longer on talking terms,” claimed Dr Julius Kones, the MP for Konoin.

Mr Ruto dismissed the claims as “cheap talk” and accused the rebel MPs of spreading wild allegations. “That is cheap politicking and I will not be drawn into their wars,” the minister said.

Among the dissenting MPs are Dr Kones, Mr Isaac Ruto (Chepalingu), Mr Joshua Kutuny (Cherangany), Mr Luka Kigen (Rongai), Mr Benjamin Langat (Ainamoi) and Eldoret South’s Mrs Peris Simam.

They accuse Mr Odinga of dividing the party through his “authoritarian and exclusive” leadership style.

“The PM has changed a lot since taking office. He has distanced himself from the people who made him what he is today. He also disregards our opinions even on matters affecting our constituents,” said Mr Langat.

Prof Nyong’o said Mr Odinga was doing his job well. “They should openly state their grievances instead of wrecking the party,” he said.

Dr Kones claimed that Mr William Ruto’s political overtures had caused a lot of discomfort within the party. The Eldoret North MP was warmly received in Central Province where it was thought he was not welcome.  

He had also shared the stage with Mt Kenya MPs who were thought to be his bitter critics. These overtures, said Dr Kones, had fuelled speculation that he was seeking alliances in preparation for 2012.

“Mr Ruto’s manoeuvres have caused a lot of jitters in the party. Our colleagues from the Luo community are particularly distrustful of his political intentions and by extension those of the Rift Valley MPs.” said Dr Kones.

He said that Mr Odinga was using “underhand tactics” to undermine MPs aligned to Mr Ruto and was employing “power brokers” to fund rebellions against them.

“The PM is using all means to quash the rebellion. He is now clandestinely funding our opponents. But he needs to realise that the more he uses these tactics, the wider apart we become,” said Dr Kones.

Blackmail

But Mr Midiwo accused the MPs of trying to blackmail the PM. He said Mr Odinga was a national leader and could not stoop to the level claimed by the Rift Valley lawmakers.  

“The Prime Minister cannot abandon his grassroots support simply because some MPs are dissatisfied. They should remember that they are novices who made it to Parliament because of the support of these so-called power brokers,” said the Gem MP.

Mr Midiwo accused the rebel MPs of being used to destroy the party and claimed they were being bankrolled by PNU agents.

“Mr Odinga’s detractors have found easy prey in these MPs who have sacrificed their principles and loyalty for money,” he said.

While playing down the alleged rebellion, Bahari MP Benedict Gunda said there were differences of opinion between the Premier and some MPs. He urged the PM to be more inclusive when making decisions to defuse tension.

“The Prime Minister is trying his best to satisfy the various interests in the party. However, he needs to hold more consultations with party MPs when making decisions affecting their constituents,” he said.

Amnesty for youth in custody over post-election violence, the controversial issue of evictions from Mau forest, unfulfilled promises of jobs in the civil service and the formation of a Grand Opposition are some of the issues that have put the Prime Minister and the Kalenjin legislators on a collision course.

The disenchantment started immediately after the Grand Coalition Government was formed. Central and South Rift MPs castigated the PM for what they called skewed appointments to the Cabinet.

Leaders from the Kipsigis community complained that they had not been rewarded with ministerial positions commensurate with the support they gave Mr Odinga in the General Elections.

Three legislators from the community were appointed to the Cabinet.

Then Bomet MP Kipkalya Kones who died in a plane crash was appointed minister for Roads while his Sotik counterpart Lorna Laboso, who died in the same crash was appointed assistant minister in the Office of the Vice-President.

Belgut MP Charles Keter was appointed an assistant minister. “We expected more full cabinet ministers. We gave Mr Odinga a lot of votes during the elections.

"We are not begging. So long as he does not do right by us, we shall not be happy,” said Mr Isaac Ruto.

The PM and MPs have been pushed further apart by the sensitive Mau forest issue. Mr Odinga and the Kipsigis community are at loggerheads on how to conserve the area.

Plane crash

The MPs also claim the Prime Minister is not doing enough to secure the release of youths arrested for post-poll violence.

“The Prime Minister does not speak about the issue unless we pressure him. It is no secret that he is not committed to seeing the youths freed,” said another of the disgruntled MPs, Mr Kutuny.  

The MPs also accuse Mr Odinga of failing to honour a promise to employ professionals from the community who lost civil service jobs when Narc came into power in 2002.  

The rebellion comes as the party is preparing for by-elections in Sotik and Bomet to fill the seats left vacant by Mr Kones and Ms Laboso.

Although the rebel MPs have promised to support the ODM candidates during the by-elections, they say it is becoming harder to sell the party and Mr Odinga to the electorate.