Uhuru-Ruto power pact sours ties in G7 Alliance

There is disquiet in the G7 Alliance over the revelation of a power-sharing deal between Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto.

Mr Ruto’s move to work with Mr Kenyatta has also left ODM supporters confused as they expected the former minister to reunite with Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

On Sunday, Industrialisation Minister Henry Kosgey appeared to be pulling out of the race to be the PM’s running mate in a move seen as part of a plan to create space for Mr Ruto, but the Eldoret North MP seems to have settled on his political path.

But even as some supporters of the G7 Alliance quietly expressed disappointment in the manner in which the deal was crafted, Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny said further negotiations on coalitions with other partners would not include the positions of the President and the Deputy President, which have already been taken.

“It is now clear that we have a presidential candidate and his deputy. Anybody joining us from now onwards must negotiate for either majority leader, speaker of the national assembly or senate, Cabinet or diplomatic appointments,” he said.

It is not clear what role other key players in the G7 Alliance, who include Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa, are going to play in the new alliance.

Against humanity

Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto were said to have held another meeting in Nairobi on Sunday before Mr Kenyatta led a delegation to meet Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete, signalling their determination to be in the presidential race in the coming polls in spite of the fact that they are facing crimes charges at the International Criminal Court.

ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda is expected in the country today to prepare ground for the hearing of the cases expected to start in April. During the Dar meeting, Mr Wamalwa asked foreigners to stop interfering in Kenya’s internal affairs.

According to his media officer, Mr Tony Gachoka, the minister through the Attorney-General, would be filing an application at the Supreme Court to interpret Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity on the difference between appointed and elected state officers.

Both Mr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta recently criticised former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan for saying that electing either of them would dent Kenya’s international image.

A statement from the DPM’s press unit said President Kikwete said Kenyans were the masters of their own destiny and must be allowed to elect their leaders without undue interference.

On Sunday, Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto said the two leaders will not close the door on Mr Musyoka, Mr Wamalwa or even Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi.

The VP, who was last evening on his way to Tel Aviv, Israel, could not be reached for comment, but an aide who spoke to the Nation dismissed the game plan as mere speculation.

“We are saying that is a speculated report and it will not happen,” he said.

Kangundo MP Johnstone Muthama said Mr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta must agree to compete with others in the G7 Alliance in an open process where public participation is allowed while Education Minister Mutula Kilonzo dismissed the power-sharing pact between Mr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta.