Presidential hopeful William Ruto is facing a huge
fallout from the Kalenjin and United Republican Party supporters, following a
reported deal between him and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta to run
jointly in March 2013 elections.
On Sunday, former President Moi’s aide Joshua Kulei who is a
close ally of Prime Minister Raila Odinga hosted Ruto at his Ngata farm in Nakuru.
The Eldoret North MP accompanied by MPs Charles Keter and Isaac Ruto, faced a barrage
of questions from “elders and aspirants” and was warned against mortgaging the
Kalenjin community.
“We told him that interests of
the community are not safe guarded in The National Alliance (TNA) party and
thus any deal is personal and the community will not be with him,” said a
source who attended the meeting.
Kalenjin elders and professionals are said to be planning a
meeting in Eldoret to counter the decision for the Kalenjin to join TNA.
Also Kalenjins in the
diaspora are said to oppose the move arguing that it would not augur well for
national cohesion and integrity.
At the same time URP parliamentary group added its voice of
opposition when it rejected the political deal between Ruto and Uhuru.
Most MPs in attendance rejected the deal and said only the
party had the “capacity and other structures” to negotiate with other political
parties.
The MPs said Ruto should only lead the URP team.
The
Kenyan DAILY POST
