Narok leaders rebuff calls to join Cord, as DP Ruto invites them to a meeting

Narok leaders have dismissed calls by Opposition leader Raila Odinga to join Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord).

Speaking just a day after Raila wooed them during a funeral at Esupetaiin Narok South, the leaders said their push for accountability from Governor Samuel Tunai should not be mistaken as discontent in the ruling Jubilee coalition.

MPs Korei Ole Lemein (Narok South) and his Narok West counterpart Patrick Ntutu said the issue of party has not arisen but will be pushing for the rights of people from within.

Others who dismissed Raila's call are URP National Deputy Secretary Leah Ntimama and Narok Central Business Organization chairperson David Sankok.

They termed Cord leadership as opportunists who are out to reap from the discontent in Narok.

"Let it be clear that we are not about to defect. We do not want to mix issues here. We are in URP and our supporters should not be alarmed at all," said Lemein.

Ntimama said the differences being witnessed currently between the MPs and Tunai is not about the party but about the rights of the Maasai community.

Ntimama accused the governor of plundering the county's resources thereby going against the party's manifesto which promotes fiscal transparency and accountability.

"It must remain clear that this is not about URP but rather a Governor who does not want to be asked to be financially responsible. The party will not accept an individual to plunder the county's resources because he is a member," she said.

Meanwhile Deputy President William Ruto will Wednesday host leaders from Narok County at his home in Karen.

According to an MP who sought anonymity, the move is an attempt to address the Narok leadership tussle.

However, the MP revealed that the Narok North MP Moitale Ole Kenta dismissed the invitation saying it was too little too late.