MPs give Ruto free hand over alliances

Eldoret North MP William Ruto has been mandated by his party MPs to cut deals with any presidential aspirant to ensure the United Republican Party is part of the next government.

More than 20 MPs allied to the party met Mr Ruto at his Karen home on Wednesday night and gave him the go ahead to negotiate freely with top presidential aspirants to ensure that URP was part of the next government.

The URP leader had called the meeting to explain recent press reports that he had held talks with nearly all the top contenders in the presidential race, confusing his supporters.

“We agreed with his explanation. Our resolution was that he should not be stopped from engaging with any of the presidential aspirants. Those in attendance felt that URP has a good chance of playing an integral role in the next government and that the opportunity should not be lost,” said Belgut MP Charles Keter.

Mr Keter said that URP leaders resolved not to hold back Mr Ruto from seeking a political deal with anybody, adding that MPs were asked to consider the reality that it was difficult for any political party to win the election on its own.

Even though Mr Ruto denied meeting Prime Minister Raila Odinga when the information was leaked to the media last week, on Wednesday he confirmed to the MPs that he had actually met the ODM leader.

Mr Odinga is said to have pleaded for Mr Ruto’s support during an “unplanned” meeting at the Nairobi home of a former State House operative.

“Mr Odinga is desperate for a political union and has promised to honour all the URP demands just to be supported to win the presidency. We have asked Ruto to demand a 60-40 share of all government positions for URP, including the vice-presidency, for us to support the PM,” revealed another MP close to Mr Ruto.

The Eldoret North MP is said to be considering a partnership with either Mr Odinga or Mr Uhuru Kenyatta of The National Alliance, but is weighed down by the demerits of such political unions and their impact on Rift Valley politics.

The URP leader is also said to be considering a deal with United Democratic Front leader Musalia Mudavadi, but is reluctant that such a union may fail to ignite a winning euphoria.

Two Rift Valley MPs are said to have told Mr Ruto they were not pleased with his dalliance with Mr Odinga.

Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto and his Cherangany counterpart Joshua Kutuny threatened to rebel against any attempt to reconcile the Kalenjin with Mr Odinga.

But Mr Keter said the meeting had ironed out any hostilities against any presidential candidate.