Ministers lobby support for Raila in Rift Valley

By Stella Mwangi

Two Cabinet ministers from the Kalenjin community have led a host of councillors in reaffirming the community’s support for Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Ministers Henry Kosgey (Industrialisation) and Sally Kosgei (Agriculture) rallied more than 30 civic leaders in Nandi County to declare that the community’s support for the PM would not waver despite the premier breaking ranks with suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto.

The PM also attended the leaders’ meeting in Kapsabet town on Friday.

“I am an experienced politician who is almost retiring and I cannot tell lies. I will always tell my people the truth even if some leaders don’t like it,” said Kosgey.

“We should separate politics from people’s lives. We should always get our politics right.”

Mr Kosgey said Raila had played a key role in the reforms the country has attained and was worth the support.

“The PM has helped in changing the country’s leadership and the new Constitution is among his achievement,” said Dr Kosgei, who is also the MP for Aldai.

Minister James Orengo (Lands), Franklin Bett (Roads), assistant ministers Magerer Langat and Beatrice Kones, former MPs John Sambu and Samuel Ng’eny attended the meeting.

The controversy over the appointment of Joseph Koskey as the Managing Director of the Kenya Bureau of Standards were also raised in the meeting and the leaders asked Raila to turn a deaf ear to voices calling for revocation of his appointment.

Igonres demands

Raila did not comment on the matter during his address. He said he appreciated the community’s support and asked them to back him again.

Meanwhile, ODM leaders in Nakuru County have asked their deputy party leader William Ruto to stop attacking Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

But Eldama Ravine Town Council chair Joseph Cheruiyot and Councillor Paul Serem of Perkera Ward have maintained that Ruto’s suspension was political.