Rift Deepens

by Vitalis Kimutai, Karanja Njoroge and Beatrice Obwocha

Agriculture Minister William Ruto’s declaration he will be running for president in 2012 has opened a new front in his rivalry with Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Rift Valley Orange Democratic Movement MPs are speaking tough, in support of Ruto, another sign the Raila-Ruto political honeymoon is over and is unlikely the PM could count on Ruto’s backing in the 2012

General Election

Going by the talk of ODM MPs, the battle between the two leaders perceived to be ‘majority shareholders’ in the Orange party, could lead to ownership struggle and Raila and Ruto could pull apart. This in turn would make the other rival parties to form a beeline for a share of the orange.

Ruto’s announcement last weekend was being seen as a backhanded response the controversial elevation of Nominated MP Musa Sirma, who has stuck with Raila, as a Tugen elder. The Ruto camp believes Sirma is Raila’s ‘project’ in the province and the PM’s plot is to bypass Eldoret North MP, who is from Nandi, by directly engaging the other Kalenjin sub-tribes.

This new approach by Raila, which some Members of Parliament, say amounts to ‘balkanisation’ of the Kalenjin community, is reinforced by the fact that during Sirma’s enthronement in Mogotio last week, there was not a single Kalenjin MP present. Instead Raila’s brother, Dr Oburu Oginga, was present.

Renewed claims

What is more, Oburu declared Sirma was fit to be Agriculture Minister. The renewed claims in Rift Valley that Raila would be happy to see Sirma replace Sports Minister Hellen Sambili, who is from United Democratic Movement, which sided with ODM in 2007 elections.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Nominated MP Musa Sirma and Agriculture minister William Ruto

Prof Sambili reacted angrily to Sirma’s choice of her Mogotio constituency for his ascension to ‘elderhood’.

Also unhappy with Sirma’s move is Assistant Minister William Cheptumo, also from the Tugen Kalenjin sub-clan, which is to be found mainly in Koibatek and Baringo districts.

Rangwe MP Martin Ogindo and former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo accompanied Oburu to the Sirma’s coronation as Tugen elder.

With the battle lines drawn, and going by the positions of Raila and Ruto’s allies, it looks like trouble lies ahead for ODM — the country’s largest single party, which insists its victory in the 2007 elections was stolen.

Sirma argues that no single leader from the region should assume to be the spokesman of the Kalenjin.

In his new role Sirma is expected to check Ruto’s influence in the vote-rich province, a move that has not gone down well with local leaders.

The nominated MP said the anointment means that the there are other leaders among the Kalenjin who should be respected.

"Ruto has just declared his intention to vie for president in 2012. I have no such ambition at the moment, so there is no way I’m fighting him," Sirma said, on Wednesday. The former Eldama Ravine MP said he has been misunderstood by Rift Valley MPs who were allied to Ruto.

"This is about politics. We are not in a church. I have to guide our people in the right direction so that they are not locked out of the next government like they are now,’’ he argued.

He added: "All those who are opening their mouths wide to criticise me are out to gain financially from Ruto. They area also hanging on Ruto’s coat, thinking that he might influence the next General Election and help them retain their seats."

MAU evictions

Oburu had said of Sirma: "He is qualified and can serve in any of the ministries. We are going to support him to get the flag." Sirma discounted claims his differences with other Rift MPs and Raila were as a result of the impending controversial Mau Forest evictions.

Ndolo said Sirma was capable of containing Ruto, adding: "ODM does not belong to Ruto or Raila. It is a party of the masses, and no one should hold us hostage through threats."

Eldama Ravine MP Moses Lesonnet and Rongai MP Luka Kigen who are also from the Tugen sub-clan dismissed Sirma as Raila’s ‘foot-soldier’ and vowed they would support Ruto’s presidential bid. They accused Raila of ‘old political tricks’ by seeking to front Sirma as an alternative Kalenjin spokesperson.

Lesonnet said Raila was not happy with Ruto’s bid to run for president. "I will support Ruto in the next General Election because Raila is messing up. Instead of unifying the party, he is dividing it," Kigen said.

Sambili asked Sirma not to eye her Cabinet portfolio because it was not vacant. "He should not attack me just because I am a woman. I am a professor and represent Mogotio constituency,’’ she said

She added: "You cannot just come to a fundraising then be dressed up in animal skin and claim you are an elder," said the Youth and Sports Minister.

Wajir North MP Mohammed Gabow asked Sirma to tread carefully so as not hurt ODM. Cheptumo said Sirma’s installation did not follow traditional procedure.

Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto and Ainamoi MP Benjamin Langat said the PM was dividing the Kalenjin.

"Raila is using mercenaries to divide Kalenjin by undermining elected leaders. He has gone to the extent of propping up shadow MPs in a comical pursuit of our votes for 2012," Mr Isaac Ruto.

He added: "The resettlement of IDPs from other provinces in Rift Valley, which Raila backs, and the planned eviction of settlers in Mau complex is causing a rift between the PM and Rift Valley leaders. We are ready to chart our political destiny."

He added: "We agreed to bury the hatchet, but it was not a licence for the PM to continue with his games."

"Some people think ODM is their property, but let them know we are in the party by choice and right. We should not be threatened," Langat said.