Musa Sirma: I will not ditch ODM and PM Raila

By Vincent Mabatuk

Nominated MP Musa Sirma has denied media reports that he wants to quit ODM.

In a turn around, Mr Sirma, a close ally of Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Rift Valley, on Monday told a press conference in Nakuru he never uttered those words.

He said he was in ODM to stay and his support for the PM was unwavering.

The former Eldama Ravine MP reportedly told a funds drive meeting at Moiben in Eldoret East constituency that he was marking time before quitting the party.

“It is a sad day for me, I strongly feel that there was certain plans for some people to have me in their camp with all means”, said the agitated MP.

Sirma said he was totally shocked by the story published by The Standard and another local daily.

He said that he had no intention of decamping Orange party soon and called on those drugging him into leaving the party to stop.

But our reporter who covered the event maintained that Sirma who spoke in vernacular had prevailed upon them not to publish his sentiments about ODM.

A recording in our possession clearly captured Sirma expressing his willingness to decamp from ODM and join the Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s camp. 

Nominated ODM MP on Monday declared he will never ditch PM Raila Odinga and is in ODM to stay. The MP was addressing a press conference in Nakuru. Picture/ Boniface Thuku/The Standard

However, on Monday Sirma told off those campaigning against the Prime Minister saying he will not be cowed.

“ Am ready to stand by the PM now and in future. I have no intentions of ditching him for another group of leaders,” he said.

He hit out at his fellow Rift Valley MPs who were against the PM saying they were hiding under a tribal outfit.

He warned the people of Rift Valley not to be misled into joining tribal groupings.

Although he never directly gave names, Sirma said tribal groupings controlled by some individuals to gain power should be condemned at all cost.

“I better go to hell if going to heaven must be through some individuals”, said Sirma.

He also denied meeting suspended Higher Education Minister, Wiliam Ruto at Eldoret sports Club on Sunday morning as reported by the media.

The MP announced that he was not going to follow his Rift Valley counterparts who were preparing to ditch ODM.

Sirma claimed that most of the MPs from Rift Valley were against Raila’s candidature in the 2007 general election.

 “Ruto and I never supported the Prime Minister at that time, but now he is our Prime Minister”, said Sirma.

Sirma challenged fellow MPs from the region to quit and seek fresh mandate through election if they felt they had enough support at the grassroot.

He told disgruntled ODM Ministers and MPs to leave the party instead of ruining it from within.