Rift Valley leaders demand VP Musyoka, Ruto pact

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Eldoret North MP William Ruto on Sunday came under pressure from grassroots leaders in the Rift Valley who want them to sign a political pact before the election. Read (VP Kalonzo, Ruto hint at an alliance)

Speaking in Nakuru, the leaders challenged the two presidential hopefuls to unite and decide who between them who will be the flag bearer in order to strengthen their chances in the race to succeed President Kibaki.

"Kalonzo and Ruto should form an alliance before the election rather than after the defeat," said Councillor Lepeyio Lila Ole Mututua of Suswa ward, Narok County.

The leaders said that they were ready to support both presidential aspirants.

They, however, added that the two leaders should also talk with Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta in order to get a winning team.

The meeting comes barely a month after VP Musyoka told a high profile rally organised by the Kalenjin Council of Elders at Kapkatet Stadium in Kericho that he was ready to work with the United Republican Party (URP) leader.

Mr Ruto is running for presidency on the United Republican Party ticket.

The two presidential aspirants spoke during the inauguration ceremony of the Myoot Kalenjin Council of Elders leader Josiah Sang at Kapkatet Stadium in Buret.

This is a follow-up of that meeting at Kapkatet and we have explored ways and means of putting together a winning formula," said Fred Kiptanui from Nandi County.

He said that the meeting was attended by leaders drawn from different political parties.

"We had people from URP, National Vision Party and Kanu. It was a fruitful meeting," he said.

"As the Kalenjin community, we should support VP Musyoka because the Kamba backed Moi throughout his time as president," he added.

Others who attended the meeting included two former permanent secretaries and various County Council chairmen from the region.

At the inauguration ceremony, VP Musyoka noted that Mr Ruto and him should have a political alliance as the country moves closer to the March polls next year.

According to him, an alliance with Mr Ruto would lead to victory in the first round.

However, Mr Ruto has said on numerous occasions that he will only enter an alliance after the election.