Raila dares Cabinet rebels to quit


Published on 21/11/2009

by Dedan Okanga and Osinde Obare

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has asked ministers dissatisfied with Cabinet decisions to quit Government.

In an apparent reference to ministers from a section of the Rift Valley, Raila accused them of being disrespectful of Government decisions.

"We must have discipline in Government and those who feel dissatisfied are free to quit," he said.

He also announced ODM would seek another mandate in the 2012 General Election to fulfill its promises to Kenyans.

"I can read the signs of great things ahead even though we are experiencing a storm (in ODM)," he said in West Pokot, on Friday.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga is installed as a Pokot elder when he inspected development projects in Pokot.

On the Harmonised Draft Constitution, Raila described the document as fair, but needed some changes.

"We rejected the Wako Draft during the referendum because it had so many faults, but the current one only needs a few changes before public endorsement," he said.

Raila was speaking at Makutano Stadium in Kapenguria, after a tour of West and North Pokot.

He urged Kenyans to read the Harmonised Draft Constitution and give views.

Plot by valley mps

He was accompanied by ministers Fred Gumo (Regional Development Authorities), Henry Kosgey (Industrialisation) and Assistant Minister Ayiecho Olweny. Others were Kapenguria MP Julius Murgor, Sigor MP Wilson Litole and nominated MP Musa Sirma. He claimed there was a plot by some Rift Valley MPs to divide ODM using the Mau evictions.

"The people of Rift Valley have never changed their support for ODM. Only some of their leaders have and it is because of greed," he said.

Uasin Gishu politician Jackson Kibor said Rift Valley MPs were partisan in their reaction on the ongoing Mau evictions.

"People have been evicted from Mt Elgon, Cherangany, Embobut and Mt Kenya without interference, how special is the Mau case?" he said.

Gumo described MPs threatening to leave ODM, as self-seekers.

"Those disloyal to the party have been bought but we remain steadfast and priceless," he said.

Kosgey asked the Pokot to stick to the party and avoid tribal political groupings.

Raila told the Pokot the Government would rescind its decision to degazette parts of West Pokot, as hardship areas.

 

 

Read all about: 2012 General Elections Mau Evictions

 

 

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