It’s all for the sake of community, says Sirma

By Alex Kiprotich

They both joined Parliament in 1997 as a young and vibrant breed of politicians.

With the imminent exit of President Moi from active politics, the two were touted as being the voice of the Kalenjin. And they did not disappoint.

Mr Musa Sirma was christened governor of Rift Valley and his Eldoret North counterpart William Ruto joined the top hierarchy of Kanu before taking a shot at the presidency in ODM’s nominations.

And it was Sirma who endorsed Ruto for the bid through the Eldama Ravine Declaration of 2005.

For close to a decade, Agriculture Minister Ruto and Nominated MP Sirma have had a good relationship. Today, however, they are sworn political adversaries.

Cracks between the two deepened last weekend when Sirma was crowned a Tugen elder — a development that leaders from the community saw as a stab on Ruto’s back.

Local MPs see Sirma’s coronation last week as an attempt to loosen Ruto’s grip on the Kalenjin.

Community’s destiny

Unease between Sirma and Ruto developed after they differed on whether the community should continue supporting ODM or chart its own destiny.

While Sirma has been a staunch supporter of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Ruto and the PM have had a bittersweet relationship.

Ruto has differed with the PM on a number of issues, including how to try post-election violence suspects and on the eviction of Mau squatters.

The ambivalent nature of Ruto’s relationship with Raila has made Sirma his vocal critic.

"I do not have anything personal with Ruto, but only differ on the way he is misleading the community," Sirma told The Standard on Sunday.

Sirma said it is wrong for Ruto to want to take the community out of ODM yet it is the party that has the people’s interest.

He said the genesis of their falling out was when Ruto started engaging in negotiations with leaders from Central Province.

Sirma said he could not agree to join hands with groups like ‘KK’ alliance and Simama-Kenya whose aim is "political expediency."

"My problem with Ruto started when he began talking of political alliances with Gatundu South MP Uhuru Kenyatta. I refused to play ball and we had to part ways," he said.

Adding that the alliance is counter-productive to the community and meant to benefit individuals.

"These are the same people who ensured people from our community were kicked out of Government and yet we want to form an alliance? Never," opined the former Eldama Ravine MP.

In the Eldama Ravine Declaration, Sirma with 14 other Kalenjin MPs said it was time for a Kalenjin to take a stab at the top seat.

"So much has changed since then and we have to agree that the community cannot go it alone, but also cannot be used to meet political conveniences of others," he said.

A political alliance between the people of Central and Rift valley provinces, said Sirma, just serves to affirm the status quo and not the change the country needs.

He questioned Ruto’s motive after being associated with Simama-Kenya, an initiative fronted by President Kibaki’s son, Jimmy. Asked to comment, Ruto said he does not play in the same league with Sirma therefore he could not respond. But MPs allied to Ruto alleged Sirma was being used to fight Ruto to split the Rift Valley vote should he abandon ODM.

Kalenjin votes

Konoin MP Dr Julius Kones said Sirma is not fighting for the interest of the community.

He dismissed the allegation by Sirma that he stopped supporting Ruto because the minister wanted to form alliances with leaders from Central Province.

"Sirma is trying to be relevant by playing into the hands of Raila who wants him to deliver Kalenjin votes after realising that Ruto has greater ambitions than being an Agriculture Minister. Any other argument does not hold," he said.

He singled out the coronation of Sirma as a desperate measure to elevate him to a point of relevance where he can purport to speak for the Kalenjin. Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny said Sirma is being insincere by going against Ruto in the name of the community’s political future. He said the MP is bitter because he wanted Ruto to get him a Cabinet post.

"Let us call a spade a spade. Sirma has all along wanted to be a minister and is blaming Ruto for not pushing hard enough for him," he said.

He said Sirma should be grateful to Ruto that he was nominated after losing his parliamentary seat.

Baringo North MP William Cheptumo said it is unfortunate that Sirma is fragmenting the community.

"What unity and community interest is there when you are being used to cause rifts?" he said.

Rongai MP Luka Kigen said Sirma is allowing himself to be used to cause division.

From a show of might to community interests, the two leaders may, like the Kilkenny cats, fight themselves to irrelevance.