MINISTER SALLY KOSGEI CRITICIZES RIFT VALLEY MPS

DAILY NATION
NAIROBI, KENYA
By BERNARD NAMUNANE and TOM MATOKE
March 16 2009

"Minister accuses Ruto’s allies of undermining other leaders in region"

Higher Education minister Sally Kosgei on Monday accused Rift Valley MPs allied to Agriculture minister William Ruto of undermining other leaders in the province.

Dr Kosgei said that a week ago, the MPs called a rally in her constituency at which she was not invited and criticised her for not supporting Mr Ruto.

“Some leaders from Rift Valley held a meeting in Kapsabet where they appealed to all ODM MPs to rally behind Mr Ruto. They claimed that some of us boycotted the meeting, which is not true.

“I do not gate-crash meetings to which I am not invited,” she declared in her Aldai constituency.

Dr Kosgei’s salvo was aimed at a group that has been holding rallies in the region to drum up support for Mr Ruto and to challenge the ODM over claims that it failed to reward the region for its support in the 2007 General Election.

Dr Kosgei told the MPs to stop criticising their colleagues for not supporting Mr Ruto and said she would not join alliances blindly. Instead, she would work with leaders keen to see ODM take over power.

“In 2002, we formed an alliance and supported leaders who never made it to State House... this time I will not support an alliance which has no backing from voters,” she said.

Torch bearer

The MPs, among them Magerer Langat (Kipkelion), Julius Kones (Konoin), Joshua Kutuny (Cherangany), Isaac Ruto (Chepalungu), Benjamin Lagat (Ainamoi) and David Koech (Mosop), accused Prime Minister Raila Odinga of failing to reward the region with key government jobs.

The MPs fell short of declaring that Mr Ruto would be their torch bearer in 2012.

On Monday, it emerged that the aim of the campaigns by MPs is to pressure Mr Odinga to stop working with Dr Kosgei and Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey.

“He (Ruto) wants to prove that Henry Kosgey and Sally Kosgei, who are Raila’s allies, have no following so he should dump them and deal with him,” said a source close to the PM.

The rallies come amid talk of a new alliance between Mr Ruto and his Finance counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta.

However, Dr Kosgei and Regional Development minister Fred Gumo expressed scepticism at reports of the alliance.

Mr Gumo described the reports as hot air, saying that Mr Ruto has denied ever making such plans. He said the talk was a pet subject of first-term MPs seeking media publicity.

“These young politicians enjoy being quoted in the media,” he said.

Nominated MP Musa Sirma said the alliance would only work if Mr Kenyatta agreed to rally his community behind Mr Ruto.

“The only alliance we can support is if Mr Kenyatta tells his people to support Mr Ruto. But we know that his (Kenyatta’s) community does not support other communities when it comes to elections,” he said.

And on Sunday, Mr Odinga held a rally in Keiyo South where he criticised people claiming the Rift Valley got a raw deal.
“No one should exploit the scarcity of jobs in the country to incite certain communities against some leaders,” he said.

The PM warned MPs from the region against joining alliances which were likely to reduce ODM’s chances of forming the next government.

“Appointments to the civil service and other government positions should not be politicised. There are no vacant positions at the moment, but balance will be observed when they do arise,” he said.

The PM had chosen Keiyo South in Rift Valley as the venue to face the voters in the region and reply to all accusations that had been directed at him for the last two weeks.

COMMENTS:

Submitted by Kojwangowi
Posted March 18, 2009 07:46 PM

Obwakemwatugul. You talk like you were born just the other day. Lets b honest. There's no regime that will ever compare to the Moi's 24 year rule. Every single institution of the government had collapsed. Economy sank to -ve growth. Over sh.300billion looted and expatriated overseas. Literally every head of parastatal and security agency was a Kip or Arap. DOs, DCs and PCs from the royal tribe were countless.Pupils from Koibatek, Baringo etc became overnight genius. The list is endless

Submitted by redcomb
Posted March 18, 2009 05:44 PM

Who said the ban was on Ruto?

Submitted by iawe
Posted March 18, 2009 03:58 PM

Obwake I totally agree with you that Moi was intelligenct. This is evident in the manner he easily adapted to the makendo environment that had been established by his predecessor. However what I dont agree with you is that during the Nyayo era we had loads of cash in our pockets to spend. Ask most Keyans (non RV residents) and they'll tell you that the current dire straits we find ourselves in is just a carry over from the times of baba na mama rule.

Submitted by physics
Posted March 18, 2009 02:29 PM

Tread carefully....the so called young MPs. You have no experience and you are too over ambitious....that will be your downfall. Learn from the mistakes of Ruto, he has now been slapped with US travel ban, EU will follow soon and that is the beginning of his downfall. I doubt you will see the next parliament.....with all that circus...so shameless riotous MPs. I suggest you even go to Mzee Moi for some advice....but no use....YOU ARE DONE!!!

Submitted by Obwakemwatugul
Posted March 18, 2009 10:39 AM

Iawe, Moi has done better where Kibaki has terribly failed. On ministers, Moi used to have order in the house unlike this regime. On tribalism, it was not at the magnitude we experience today right all over the place. What Moi did was just to 'fuata nyayo' of Kenyatta who also had displaced people and allowed a few people to grap land etc. The economy also in Moi era was being felt on the ground with people having well enough moneys to spend. This days it is dry. I see, MOI was a Man Of Intelligence, used to thing Ignorance??

Submitted by jmruns
Posted March 18, 2009 10:25 AM

you said it iawe. rigging elections became a sin to kalenjins when kibaki rigged but not when moi rigged. kalenjins should happily harvest what they planted. time for kikuyus to harvest will still come and i hope they won't complain.

Submitted by goat_herder
Posted March 18, 2009 04:06 AM

Mr. Kibaki, this is where as a leader you should step in. Fire all these people preaching tribalism and all will be good. Come on man, do something.

Submitted by Kojwangowi
Posted March 17, 2009 07:45 PM

Tolfo - can't agree more! keep up yesuwangu - pls shed that backward stereotyping and generalizing mentality that politicians like Sirma used to ferment ethnic hatred and intolerances a while ago. Point of correction, in 1992 Uhuru was still a suckling and nowhere near a voting booth. 4 ua info every major region, save for 2002 and 2007 for western, voted for its own

Submitted by iawe
Posted March 17, 2009 05:45 PM

Obwakemwatugul, allow me to digress abit. I dont belong to the Gema community but this is what I want to say; for 24 solid years the master rigger from the Kalenjin tribe played around with Kenyans during elections and you Kalenjins never raised a finger. Come 2007 when someone else gave you a test of your own medicine you have kept on whining like never before. What goes around comes around. Live with the rigged president. This is Kenya and there'snt much you can do about it.

Submitted by yesuwangu
Posted March 17, 2009 05:19 PM

'But we know that his (Kenyatta’s) community does not support other communities when it comes to elections." Sorry but that is the truth.Uhuru himself cannot influnce his community to vote outside he will even loose his sit to Karua,bishop muiru or a mental patient if their is no one standing,like 1992 they voted matiba.Kibaki and uhuru.1997,2002,and 2007.although others have supported and voted togethr with them like in 1963,1992,1997 and 2002

Submitted by scanfish
Posted March 17, 2009 04:06 PM

Uhuru must first solidify his alliance with Kalonzo before rushing to embrace Ruto who may betray him the same way he has betrayed Raila. He must be strategic and not behave like he is hawking GEMA votes.

Submitted by Tolfo
Posted March 17, 2009 04:02 PM

Musa Sirma, voting in Kenya doesn't determine who will be the president. Kenyatta, Moi and Kibaki have been presidents because those who decide things in kenya wanted it that way, not because of the voting patterns. when they decide that it's time for presidency to go back to Baringo central, it will go, no matter where uhuru's community votes. Your community as well as that of Uhuru can't do much about it. Advise them not to slaughter each other because of voting patterns.

Submitted by olegaita66
Posted March 17, 2009 03:48 PM

Kenya will never progress unless Kenyans themselves will shade this backward thing of having a tribal leader.Kalenjins should ask themselves what Ruto brings to them,development or hatred of others?

Submitted by SJ502
Posted March 17, 2009 03:09 PM

suekimj:

The rule of law applies equally during the day...or night. It is not suspended when the sun goes down...it functions round the clock...unlike solar panels!

Submitted by Kojwangowi
Posted March 17, 2009 02:52 PM

Gifo, you and Sirma are of the same backward mindset that suffer from chronic stereotyping of communities that Kenya would do well without. I suggest urgent introspect before you become one of those socially intolerant and violent goons with hearts of stone who we witnessed in action just a year ago.

Submitted by tuneman
Posted March 17, 2009 02:12 PM

I hate these politics of leave it to the youth or women. when will we ever understand that a nation cannot be built by only one group. We need all kenyans to be democratic in their own selves. We all have equal brain capacity and thus bound without influence from anyone for a better future. Our father fought for indepedence for our own sake, lets then make a positive change for the next generation.We need women,men, children,youth,old,young,disabled,normal and you for that progress.

Submitted by Obwakemwatugul
Posted March 17, 2009 02:10 PM

As Kalenjins our leaders are of equal repute just like all other leaders in Kenya. We are progressive and when we advocate for equal chances and opportunities in Kenya does not mean we are tribalists. This has always been used as a gimmick to exploit others. Votings patterns, tribal organizations like GEMA, etc, rigging or elections 2007, appointments domination by certain regions in Treasury, CBK, etc are all a clear indication of how tribalism is in our country. Every tribe in Kenya should take responsibility of their share of tribalism and eliminate it. Is your share bibber??

Submitted by Chiawelo
Posted March 17, 2009 01:39 PM

Mr. Ruto must get rid of that cap with national colours. It seems he is stuck in campaign mode and he looks ridiculous in it anyway. There are those of us who feel insulted by this flimsy attempts to appear patriotic. Actions speak louder than garbs, so to say; we know what you did last year.

Submitted by suekimj
Posted March 17, 2009 01:16 PM

Like we well know SJ502 that the community in question voted for an individual who respects the rule of law!!!. No wonder he was sworn in in the night with the constitutional and justice minister flexing her muscles.

Submitted by Jason52
Posted March 17, 2009 01:11 PM

It is time we move away from patronage politics. We need leaders of integrity who can stand on their on. We do not need those who subject their wealth and influence on others to the extent that they are followed by weaker politician blindly. Kalenjin, we are part of a bigger family (Kenyan Family) and we should not forget that we can never exit in isolation. Though is it noble to have an identity but not at the cost of progress. Let us move on look for politician that sees a bigger picture beyond tribal grouping.

Submitted by Kibutu Kiiru
Posted March 17, 2009 12:16 PM

Musa Sirma is a typical spoiler. Too fond of tribal invocations. ODM should recall the membership of this slave of tribalism. Hon. Sirma though without a constituency belongs to a tribe just like any other Kenyan and should appreciate it as a worthwhile diversity. Hon. Musa be a real Musa and help in saving the Mau forest as well as enforcing the ban of the sandalwood harvesting.

Submitted by Obwakemwatugul
Posted March 17, 2009 12:09 PM

Both Henry and Sally Kosgei are conservative politicians who donnot accept the reality of leadership change to youthful leaders in the RV. It is only that they stood on ODM as a party and with the support of Ruto that they made it to parliament otherwise, like Biwott and Moi, they should be now back enjoying their retirement in the villages attending weddings etc. They will be noticed this five years and they can as well enjoy their last moments in parliament until 2012. I will stand against Dr. Kosgei, and sure I will win.

Submitted by gifo
Posted March 17, 2009 09:13 AM

Ruto beware! The Uhuru camp is just aiming to get something from your Ruto's popularity in the Rift Valley. Why should somebody think that only people from Uhuru's camp lost property and lives after the election chaos of Dec 2007? The MP's from R.Valley who support any alliance with Central Kenya will be in for a rude shock.

Submitted by wawerugithiri
Posted March 17, 2009 03:31 AM

We dont need any ODM rejects to form the next Government, free from blackmail and manipulation. We have the Nombers and next time we wont have a weak candidate like Kibaki.

Submitted by SJ502
Posted March 17, 2009 02:59 AM

By 2012 the RVP MPS' fall out will be total... and Mr. Kenyatta does not tell 'his community' who to vote for! He can’t! That community like all progressive societies worldwide votes for individual’s ability to respect the rule of law.