G7 leaders target ODM strongholds in western Kenya

The G7 political grouping on Saturday made a foray into ODM strongholds in western Kenya and dismissed as fruitless deputy party leader Musalia Mudavadi’s efforts to run for president.

MPs William Ruto, Eugene Wamalwa and Ekwee Ethuro said that although ODM had been popular in western, they had plans to shift allegiances ahead of next year’s elections.

Support Wamalwa

On Mr Mudavadi’s chance of contesting the presidency on an ODM ticket, Mr Ruto said: “The only chance for Western Province’s stab at the presidency is to support Mr Wamalwa. There is no way Mudavadi will beat Raila Odinga.”

The MPs campaigned in Port Victoria, and Mr Ruto said they would establish a fund to offer loans to women and youth to improve their standards of living.

“The next election will be determined by the women and youth who have been sidelined,” he said Mr Ruto, adding that food insecurity in the country would be a thing of the past should G7 be elected into government.

The MP, who once served as Agriculture minister, blamed the current food shortage on bad policies.

Last Friday, Mr Ruto defended President Kibaki against claims that attributed to Prime Minister Raila Odinga that he was responsible for the post-election violence.

“It is an insult for the PM to comment on the ICC trials and implicate President Kibaki considering that we have parted with our resources to meet legal costs,” the MP said.

Mr Odinga has since refuted the allegations. “I am paying a price for having supported Raila in the last elections and eventually being turned into a sacrificial lamb,” Mr Ruto told a political rally at Iten Stadium.

Mr Ruto, who has fallen out with the party boss, asked the PM to shun political attacks against former President Daniel arap Moi, whom he described as a statesman who deserves respect from all Kenyans.

He challenged Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyatta to support his presidential bid, saying the Kalenjin rallied behind Kanu in 2002 when Mr Kenyatta was the presidential candidate.

Second fiddle

“We are not ready to play second fiddle this time round and Uhuru and his team should support us,” Mr Ruto said.

He named Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere as his running mate and declared UDM his political vehicle.

He said UDM was reaching out to the PNU group led by Prof George Saitoti and Shirikisho Party to take over the country’s leadership.

“As a party, we shall prioritise agriculture and industrialisation in a bid to improve the living standards of Kenyans once in power,” Mr Ruto told the rally.