MPs plot to send Raila home

Rift Valley MPs allied to Eldoret North MP William Ruto have vowed to ensure the removal of Prime Minister Raila Odinga through a vote of no confidence in Parliament due to what they term as ODM’s dwindling numerical strength.

However, legal experts say it would not be easy for the MPs as they are still in Parliament under ODM ticket with Mr Odinga as party leader.

The National Accord signed by President Kibaki and Mr Odinga says the PM should be a leader of the majority party in Parliament.

Former Kabete MP Paul Muite, a lawyer, says ODM MPs opposed to Mr Odinga should either use party machinery to remove him as ODM leader or resign and seek fresh mandate from the electorate.

“Only the party’s national governing bodies can stop Mr Odinga being head of the party. The MPs should thus meet as a party and remove him,” Mr Muite said.

Last Friday, the Rift Valley MPs allied to Mr Ruto, who were joined by a number from PNU and ODM-Kenya, said Mr Odinga lacked the numbers and thus, did not qualify to be the Prime Minister. (Read: Kosgei finally joins the pro-Ruto ODM faction)

They were speaking at Kaptumo grounds in Agriculture minister Sally Kosgei’s Aldai constituency before she jumped ship from Mr Odinga’s camp to Mr Ruto’s in ODM.

Emgwen MP Elijah Langat said the government should be led by one person to avoid the wrangles that have been witnessed in the recent past.

“We are facing all the problems because of the two centres of power that the country has. For any country to be governed well, there should be one centre of power,” said Mr Langat.

Medical assistant minister Kazungu Kambi said the marriage between  President Kibaki and Mr Odinga would officially end on March 4 when  PNU is expected to hold National Delegates Conference in Nairobi where it would be resolved that it walks out of the coalition.

“I want to believe that is the day when we shall officially end our relationship with the ODM wing of coalition,” said Mr Kambi.