Kosgey accuses Ruto of undermining ODM

Chairman of the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) Henry Kosgey (left) during a press conference at Orange House in Nairobi April 27th, 2009. FILE

Cabinet minister Henry Kosgey has blamed a fellow minister from Rift Valley Province for financing some civic leaders in parts of the region to wreck ODM party and undermine Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Mr Kosgey said “several civic leaders among them civic bosses from the Rift Valley province have been holding night meetings after which they are financed to go round the province to wreck ODM and want the Kalenjin to quit ODM. ”

Civic leaders from the Rift valley had been going round asking the Kalenjin to rally behind Cabinet Minister William Ruto in 2012 and support him for president because Odinga had sidelined them over Mau Forest evictions.

Mr Kosgey also noted the reforms process in the country was going at a very slow pace and yet the country wants to hold next elections under a new law, with radical reforms taking place to improve quality of leadership and avoid repeat of chaos.

The Industrialisation minister called for quick reforms in the Judiciary, police and in land reforms saying the country wanted free and fair elections, with an election body which stands for truth and justice. He said Kenyans should not accept to be used to create violence as was the case last year.

The minister who is the ODM national chairman said that his party wanted total overhaul of the constitution to improve governance in Kenya and politicians who are against reforms would face the wrath of voters come 2012 elections.

He asked the Kalenjin people to remain in ODM, warning that the community could be isolated if they moved out of the party a head of 2012 elections since they would not have bargaining power.

Speaking at Kabiyet Divisional Head quarter in Nandi North District, Kosgey who was accompanied by the Mosop MP David Koech accused the “top ODM leader from the North Rift of undermining the party and using the councillors to split ODM for selfish gains.

The Minister warned that Kalenjins would not make any impact if they walked out of ODM party and they can't get the presidency without support of all Kenyan communities.

Kenya, Kosgey said is tired of “tribal leaders who went round financing councillors from their community to undermine the PM and split ODM party after holding night meetings.”

Cabinet minister William Ruto has already declared his intention to vie for president in 2012, a move that Kosgey is against and wants the local community to remain united and rally behind Odinga in 2012.

Mr Koech said Rift valley leaders wanted peace with all tribes and many of them had been implicated over elections in the 2007 elections.

Both Mr Koech and Mr Kosgey said Rift Valley leaders would support and work with the newly formed Kalenjin Council of Elders to boost unity among various groups.