Elders, MPs want Raila to specify apology

By Titus Too and Michael Chepkwony

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s renewed push for a pre-election pact with United Republican Party aspirant William Ruto has set off political ripples in the Rift Valley. 

Of particular interest is Raila’s apology to the Kalenjin community whose leaders are now asking the PM to be specific on what he did, and for which he is seeking forgiveness.

They were also concerned that the apology was coming at a heated moment in national politics, and even said the call for forgiveness should not be linked to politics, and if it were, then it would end up looking meaningless and insincere.

But as Raila was asked by Kalenjin elders to sustain talks with Ruto, with the rider that if the Eldoret North MP would not play along they would step in, a Cabinet minister close to both Ruto and The National Alliance aspirant Uhuru Kenyatta dropped a bombshell.

Naomi Shaban, who is a mutual friend of both leaders, declared Ruto would be Uhuru’s running mate in the March 4 elections.

Dr Shaban, who is perceived to be closer to Uhuru, said that it was almost a done deal that Uhuru would be seeking the presidency, while Ruto would be his running mate, as they face off with Raila. 

The news unfolded as it emerged Ruto, who has had several meetings with United Democratic Forum aspirant Musalia Mudavadi, kept the Sabatia MP waiting for hours for another round of talks at a hotel in Hurlingham, Nairobi, but he eventually did not turn up.

Though it was claimed Ruto is the one who set up the meeting, it was not clear why in the end he chose to send his personal assistant to meet the Deputy Prime Minister.

A Mudavadi aide confirmed that the meeting did not take place, but believes it will be rescheduled.

Uhuru, Raila, Mudavadi, and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka have tried to lure Ruto, who they perceive to have the capacity to influence which way the weighty Kalenjin vote would go.

Humanity charges

Even though some elders and leaders from Ruto’s community, as was reported at the Monday meeting in Nakuru where Raila was asked to get Ruto to his side, have expressed reservations with an alliance with Uhuru, the Eldoret MP appears set to stick with Uhuru. 

Uhuru and Ruto are facing crimes against humanity charges at the International Criminal Court.

Shaban, who is the Taveta MP, spoke in Voi, where she kicked off TNA recruitment drive. She boasted the new party was acquiring a national outlook and urged the Taveta community to enlist.

“We have traversed the country and different communities are supporting Uhuru’s presidential bid. I do not want the local community to be left out,” added the minister, who vowed to campaign against Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement’s influence in Taita-Taveta County.

Shaban said the alliance between Ruto and Uhuru was real, insisting she was privy to the negotiations between them.  She said the leaders would run on a joint ticket.

In Rift Valley, where some of Ruto’s supporters are alarmed by the fact Ruto may not after all be in the final race, leaders also advised Ruto’s community to take Raila’s statement on Monday with cynicism.

Some leaders dispelled political working relationship with Raila.  But some said they support URP and declared if there was going to a coalition, then it would be with Raila’s ODM.

“In my personal view, someone who apologises knows where he erred. Like it is in the Bible, he should be forgiven,” said Keiyo South MP, Jackson Kiptanui.

Kiptanui, however, said the apologies should not be a condition for a political reunion. “If he seeks to have a political support, then Raila’s apologies may not be sincere. The timing indicates he is trying to reach out to the Rift Valley,” said Kiptanui.

Speaking to The Standard, Kiptanui said he would not rule out any negotiations with other political parties, including TNA and ODM.

“I do not want to rule out any negations with other parties like TNA and ODM because we are reviewing our options,” added Kiptanui.

On Monday, Raila met some Kalenjin elders in Nakuru, mostly from South and Central Rift region. A similar meeting in Ruto’s North Rift turf is set for Eldoret next week, with representatives from Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Keiyo/Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, and Mount Elgon.

Prayer meetings

Speaking separately, Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny, like Kiptanui, is also an ally of Ruto, said: “We will forgive each other with Raila at the ballot box.”

Kutuny claimed Raila was playing political games and Ruto should be cautious.

He challenged Raila to be clear on the issues that made him to apologise to the residents of Rift Valley. “Raila will be the last person to work with. He has been castigating us that we are shedding crocodile tears. He also sacked Ruto,” said Kutuny. 

The MP claimed they were under frequent accusations by the PM when they held prayer meetings for Kenyans accused at The Hague.

Keiyo North MP Lucas Chepkitony, also allied to URP, said he doubted whether Raila was sincere in his apologies. “The PM had been chest-thumbing that he is ready to go and sell mandazi in Kibera. He should specify the offence, which he committed to warrant an apology,” said Chepkitony.

Chepkitony added URP was still open for negotiations with “like-minded parties ”.

Ruto’s phone went unanswered as we tried to seek his views on the latest developments.  It was not clear what his response would be on the re-emergence of a Raila factor in Rift Valley politics.

Wareng County Council Chairman Paul Kiprop said the decision to move out of ODM to URP was irreversible. “For the period the Prime Minister was given time to lead, he failed us and there is no guarantee he is going to change,” said Kiprop.

Kiprop added his community has other people it can work with, including those in ODM like Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey.

“We have leaders we can work with, including Kalonzo, Uhuru, Mudavadi, Eugene Wamalwa, and Peter Kenneth among others,” said Kiprop.

Raila’s move to attract the Eldoret North MP to his side seems to be a test of the perception Ruto is a kingmaker and de facto leader of the Rift Valley.

Kosgey, the ODM chairman, who has been fighting to be named Raila’s running mate, was present at the meeting where the PM apologised to the Kalenjin community.

Nandi Council of elders (Kaburwo) convened a meet to discuss the way forward following Raila’s plea for forgiveness. The elders met in Kapsabet town where they said that unity talks between the PM and URP leader would be resolved when elders from the North Rift meet to discuss the matter.

Speaking to the Press after a meeting, Kaburwo spokesman, Marusin Kogo, said the elders had no comment.

“Elders from North Rift are yet to meet and we shall be involved in it. Those who met the PM were from South Rift,” said Kogo.

“Now that he is seeking forgiveness, he should support Ruto,” said Kapsabet Mayor Michael Rono.

- Additional reporting by Renson Mnyamwezi