URP BLOCKS UHURU, RUTO DEAL

Written By maboko on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 | 9:28 PM


ELDORET North MP William Ruto is facing a rebellion from the Kalenjin and his URP party following a reported deal between him and Uhuru Kenyatta to run jointly in the March 2013 election.
On Sunday, former President Moi's aide Joshua Kulei hosted Ruto at his Ngata farm in Nakuru. The Eldoret North MP, accompanied by MPs Charles Keter and Issac Rutto, faced a barrage of questions from elders and aspirants and was warned against "mortgaging" the community.
“We told him that the interests of the community are not safeguarded in TNA and thus any deal is personal and the community will not be with him,” said a source who attended the meeting.
And yesterday, the URP Parliamentary Group added its voice of opposition when it rejected the political deal between Ruto and Uhuru.

URP BLOCKS UHURU, RUTO DEAL
Left is PM. Raila and Ruto
The five-hour PG meeting took place at Biblica Guest House in Nairobi and was attended by 18 MPs. The meeting was called to give Ruto an opportunity to brief the MPs on his recent contacts with other contenders in the presidential race and to discuss talk of him accepting the position of Uhuru's running mate.

Most of the MPs in attendance rejected the deal and said only the party had the “capacity” and the “structure” to negotiate with other political parties. The MPs said Ruto should only lead the URP team.

The MPs argued that it would kill the URP if Ruto became Uhuru's running mate. They mandated Ruto to open negotiations with other parties or go it alone.
“We have the capacity to go it alone and win the next general election. We are very aware of the constitutional provision on pre and post-election coalition. We have no problem to discuss the way forward with any political party that will step forward,” said Environment minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere.

“We are a serious party and let those planning for a deal with us know that negotiations shall be on our terms. URP's interest will have to come first," said Mwakwere.
Party chairman Francis Ole Kaparo said the meeting had resolved to negotiate with all parties. “There have been talks between our leader and other parties because we are not averse to discussions. But there is no done deal with anyone,” Kaparo said.

“We have the capacity to go it alone but we invite all parties that want to be part of the next government,” he added. Ruto attended the meeting but did not address journalists.
Yesterday callers to Kalenjin stations Kass FM and Chamgei FM described the alleged deal between Ruto and Uhuru as selfish and untenable.

Some callers supported the alliance but most complained of exclusion in the process and called for wider consultation. Some dared Ruto to try and go it alone without them.

One caller only identified as Raymond recalled that last week Ruto indicated willingness to talk with Prime Minister Raila Odinga and wondered why it was so urgent to reach a deal with Uhuru.
Len Nee Emet (What the country is saying) is a show on Kass FM that acts as a forum on Kalenjin issues. It was previously hosted by Joshua arap Sang who has left the station.

Hosts Alex Tum and Silas Tarus struggled to calm the listeners. Elders and professionals are said to be planning a meeting in Eldoret to counter the decision for the Kalenjin to join TNA. Kalenjins in the diaspora are also said to oppose the move arguing that it would not augur well for national unity.