Fresh ripples in ODM

By PETER OPIYO and EDWIN CHESEREK

Support is growing within the Orange Democratic Movement for Henry Kosgey to take over as deputy party leader following the exit of Sabatia MP Musalia Mudavadi.

Lending credence to the reports of an upswing in the Tinderet MP’s fortunes was his presence at the Registrar of Political Parties’ offices last week when ODM officials received the party’s certificate.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga (second left) after the Florida A&M University, US, honoured him with a degree, last week. [PHOTO: pmps/STANDARD]

Those touting Kosgey for better things claim he still has plenty of goodwill among the Kalenjin, including North Rift that forms the bedrock of support for Eldoret North MP William Ruto.

There was bubbly excitement among Kosgey’s supporters in the region as word went round that he is tipped for good things in the Orange party that stood by him during his ordeal at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague.

Kosgey has not spoken about the latest overtures in ODM, but he told The Standard that he has real and extensive support in the North Rift. "There are many leaders who are solidly behind me," said Kosgey.

Recently, Kosgey was absent at an ODM delegates meeting attended by Raila at a hotel in Eldoret, where the PM was received by Higher Education minister Margaret Kamar (Eldoret East), Agriculture minister Dr Sally Kosgei (Aldai) (Agriculture), East African Community minister Musa Sirma (nominated) and Lands minister James Orengo (Ugenya) among others.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Kosgei insisted ODM remains strong and has support in the North Rift region. But political leaders in the region dismissed the claims.

"It is clear that one could better sell any other party to residents of Rift Valley province than ODM. The region will not be swayed from URP (United Republican Party)," said Michael Rono, the Mayor of Eldoret.

URP is bitter Raila rival for the presidency Ruto’s party of choice, Kosgey, who is ODM chairman, received the party’s certificate of registration from the Registrar of Political parties, Lucy Ndung’u before cameras last week, after Mudavadi who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government dumped the party.

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