Kosgey now makes a pitch for Ruto’s presidential bid

Suspended Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey yesterday said the Kalenjin will support Eldoret North MP William Ruto for the presidency in the next General Election.

He said that in 2002 the community supported Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and in 2007 Prime Minister Raila Odinga and it was their turn to go for the presidency.

“As a community we must remain united and support our own,” said the ODM chairman.

The Tinderet said they had fought very hard for ODM in 2007 but unfortunately they lost due to a dispute that led them (he and Mr Ruto) to be taken to the International Criminal Court.

He was speaking at Sangalo in Mosop Constituency during the official opening of a Milk cooling plant, which was graced by Co-operatives Development minister Joseph Nyaga.

Assistant ministers Asman Kamama and Adan Duale, local MP David Koech and Mr Ruto were also present.

Mr Ruto cautioned those who will go against the wish of the community, saying that they risked rejection by voters.

“We have to remain united as a community in order to seek the support of others,” he said.

Mr Duale said that North Eastern Province will support Mr Ruto in seeking the top job, saying his development record spoke volumes.

However, Co-operatives Development minister called on the community to remain in ODM, saying they sacrificed a lot for the party in 2007 and there was no need of ditching it.

Mr Nyaga added: “If we had solved our own problems in 2007, our people could not have been taken to The Hague for trial but due to differences between ODM and PNU, we are at The Hague and have become a laughing stock”.

ODM received massive support from the Rift Valley but differences between the Prime Minister and Mr Ruto, which has extended to their lieutenants has threatened that support, with the Ruto-led group urging residents to shun ODM in favour of UDM.

The rebellion against ODM was initially epitomised by Mr Ruto while Mr Kosgey appeared to lean toward Mr Odinga’s side.

The announcement by the suspended minister could now mean that Mr Ruto is succeeding in consolidating support at home that could be useful in his quest for the presidency in 2012.

Both Mr Ruto and Mr Kosgey face charges of crimes against humanity at the ICC and it may take up to the end of the year — after the charges are confirmed or dropped — to determine whether the two will be eligible to run for political office in the near future.