New political alliance in offing

URP leader, William Ruto Addresses a rally in Kilgoris Thursday. [PHOTO: MARTIN TELEWA/STANDARD]

By LEONARD KORIR and EDWIN MAKICHE

An alliance between United Republic Party (URP) and the Party of National Unity (PNU) is in the offing.

Eldoret North MP William Ruto and his Kilgoris counterpart Gideon Konchellah alongside other parliamentarians announced the new alliance at a public rally held at Enoosean in Trans Mara West.

The two leaders accompanied by MPs Aden Duale (Dujis), Ekwe Ethuro (Turkana Central), Kazungu Kambi (Kaloleni) and Mohamud Ali (Moyale) said they were committed in uniting communities in Rift Valley under one strong party.

Ruto said the region risks being left out of the next government if its leaders do not come together and speak in one voice through a unifying party.

He appealed to Kenyans to elect visionary and accountable leaders and shun those engaging in rhetoric.

He said URP in its blueprint is committed in ensuring that resources would be devolved to ensure marginalised regions enjoy the national cake.

The URP presidential contender petitioned the Government to double the devolution fund allocation to the county government from the current 15 per cent to 30 per cent to bring on board the majority in growing the economy.

He lamented his support for Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying he was a thankless man who has no agenda for the country.

In a show of acceptance to the new alliance, Konchellah said PNU will not field any presidential candidate in the next polls but would instead back whoever would be nominated from G7 Alliance.

Konchellah, who is the new acting chairman of PNU said as a party, they have resolved to contest for other elective seats and sacrifice the presidential seat for the sake of unity.

“To avoid the wrangles in G7, we will soon seek President Kibaki’s intervention and advice since he is the senior most politician,” said Konchellah. On his part Duale challenged Konchellah to decamp from his party and join them, saying the next president would come from the G7.

Marginalised

He said pastoralist communities have remained marginalised because of remaining outside the successive governments.

Locals led by Trans Mara County Council chairman Daniel Seitai lauded Ruto’s effort while in the Ministry of Agriculture, saying he ensured farm inputs remained subsidised and affordable to the farmers.

They praised him for spearheading the construction of the new Trans Mara Sugar factory, which has created employment and a source of income for the locals.

Ruto and his team are scheduled to tour Narok town and later hold public rallies at Ololulunga and Sogoo in Narok South today.