Jitters in Rift over PM, Ruto ‘secret’ talks

By Titus Too

The recent alleged secret meeting between presidential aspirants William Ruto and Raila Odinga is causing anxiety in the Rift Valley.

Ruto’s move has left his supporters in the North and South Rift regions confused on whether he is seeking to be supported in his presidential bid or he is preparing to be Raila’s running mate in the next election.

Ruto has proven to be a political kingpin in the Rift Valley and every move he takes is being watched keenly. Many voters in the region had long given up on any political pact between the two former friends turned foes after the 2007 elections.

After falling out with Raila, who he tirelessly campaigned for in the run up to the 2007 General Election, Ruto had been telling the country that he had quit ODM for good.

Raila is keen on an alliance with Ruto because it will enable him get the support from the populous Kalenjin community.

The latest development has left many guessing with local leaders debating on how the talks would change the political scene.

Ruto had told the media he is seeking Raila’s support to win the presidency although those privy to the talks say the two were hammering a pre-poll alliance in which Raila wants the Eldoret North MP to be his running mate.

“There may be talks between Ruto and Raila, but not on issues of an alliance. I am sure talk on alliances will never happen,” said Paul Kiprop, an ally to Ruto and chairman of Wareng county council in Uasin Gishu County.

He added: “There may be pressure on Raila from some ODM leaders like James Orengo to seek Ruto’s support because of the efforts he made for him in the last general election”.

Burned bridges

Kiprop said “Raila severed ties with Ruto and ‘pretended he was right but he is now realising the importance of Ruto when it is too late”. 

Sources hint that negotiations are at an advanced stage to have Ruto as running mate for Raila so as to consolidate votes from the region.

If the move takes shape, a reminiscence of the 2007 voting pattern is in the offing with Rift Valley Province giving Raila major boost in votes.  

It may also complicate the political hierarchy in the region. Raila will have to try balancing the political equation to create room for senior leaders in the region.

They include long serving and experienced political leaders from the Rift Valley region like ODM chairman Henry Kosgey (Tinderet) and Franklin Bett (Buret).

Kosgey and Bett have until recently been eyeing to be named as Raila’s running mate in the next polls.

Raila, however, sparked off the debate during a recent homecoming party for Kosgey in Nandi when he said he would not name a running mate single handedly but will involve the ODM’s top leadership organ.

Over Ruto’s possible alliance with Raila, an ODM supporter in Nandi and a close ally to Kosgey, Mr Paul Mugun, said he would not comment on the matter. “I have to reserve my comments over the talks between Ruto and Raila,” said Mugun who is also the chairman Nandi Hills town council. 

Kabarnet Mayor Julius Kiprop said “negotiations between the URP leader and Raila are welcome as long as it will identify a good leader and also bring unity in the country”.

“We don’t know what they are discussing. If they agree in the negotiations, we will need the right president, leaders and a peaceful country devoid of tribalism,” said Mayor Kiprop.

He said party affiliations should not be the issue but the quality of leaders should be considered during elections.

John Kiprotich Kalya, the chairman Bomet county council, said there was nothing wrong for Ruto to meet and hold talks with Raila. “Ruto has met and held talks with other presidential candidates including Uhuru Kenyatta and Kalonzo Musyoka. What is wrong if he talks to Raila?” posed Kalya.

He said Kenyans should be united and Ruto has hinted at meeting all leaders as he consolidates his support for the presidency in the coming election.

He added, “As a community, we have not decided to join Raila but we can work with him if he is ready to step down for Ruto. Ruto delivered a lot of votes for Raila in the last election”.

Eldoret Mayor William Rono dismissed alliance talks as ‘lies’ adding that Ruto has already assured his supporters his name will be on the ballot paper.

Run off

But Rono added that Ruto is right to build peace and make friends with everyone as he strengthens his presidential bid.

He said it would be unexpected that Ruto steps down and agrees to support Raila. “He is making strategies in his bid for the presidency and will not play a second fiddle for any other hopeful,” said Rono.

The Mayor, who is also a close ally of Ruto, said there was a possibility that Raila may support Ruto in the run off if Ruto beats him in the first round.

Mr William Chesingany, the Marakwet county council chairman, said URP had the highest possibilities of determining the country’s next President. 

He said, “The massive vote bloc commanded by URP has seen more presidential hopefuls seeking the support of Ruto ahead of the general election”. 

Chesingany said voters in the Rift Valley region want Ruto to seek the presidency in the first round of elections and later negotiate for an alliance in the runoff.   

In his statement, Ruto made it clear that had not had an opportunity to meet and talk to Raila although he is looking for him.