By Peter Orengo

A section of central Kenya MPs have said they are willing to back Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the presidency in 2012.

However, they said the promise would only be if the PM hastens the settlement of IDPs and promise to let perpetrators of post-election violence ‘carry their own cross’.

During a church fund raising that brought together ODM and PNU MPs in Kinangop, speakers praised the PM, who was chief guest, for his role in uniting Kenyans after poll chaos.

"There is no politician in the country today who has sacrificed so much for Kenya as Raila has. Today we have peace because he sacrificed his ambition when Kenya was burning," Kinangop MP David Ngugi said.

He said just like Raila’s father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga who sacrificed his ambition so that first president Jomo Kenyatta could rule Kenya, the PM declared "Kibaki Tosha!" and it was now the turn of Central Province to also say "Raila Tosha".

Kiambaa MP Stanley Githunguri reminded the Kikuyu community not to back anyone for the top seat for the sake of peace.

"The experience of the last election was bad for central Kenya. It was 41 communities against one. Other communities have helped the Kikuyu since independence. It is now time to pay back," Mr Githunguri said.

But Mukurwe-ini MP Kabando wa Kabando said if Raila wants to win the heart of central Kenya, he should help in speeding up resettlement of IDPs.

"It does not matter which community one comes from so long as your good work is seen. In the US, whites, blacks, and Indians elected Barack Obama because of his brilliance and exceptional personality. Raila can still win the hearts of many Kenyans," he said.