By Vincent Bartoo
The Kibaki succession battle intensified as a new political alliance was cemented in Eldoret by MPs allied to Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta.
But Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who returned to the country on Friday, dismissed the new political force as inconsequential.
Ruto hosted President Kibaki and 60 MPs in his Eldoret North constituency turf in a clear show of political might. And significantly, the President seemed to endorse the direction Ruto and allies have taken. Before he started his speech, he stopped to introduce Ruto, who stood before the President and shook his hand twice.
“You know this man, don’t you? He has mentioned what he wants to be done. We have listened keenly to what he has said and we will do it,” said Kibaki.
It was not clear whether he meant the political direction Ruto has taken or his move to spearhead peace and reconciliation in Rift Valley.
Although it was billed as a meeting to unite communities living in Rift Valley, the Kibaki succession and the impending ICC action on Kenya took centre stage in Friday’s rally.
Raila also came under a thinly veiled yet glaring attack by MPs representing various regions.
A strong wind
But the Prime Minister last evening landed in Kisumu from Ivory Coast on mediation exercise and said he was neither worried nor disturbed by the new political realignment and groupings.
He predicted that a strong wind will soon blow away the current political realignment and that he was focused and looking ahead in his political strategy.
“The current noise will finally fade away. They are like barking dogs that will be swept away by strong winds and we will take our rightful place,” he said.
Raila said some of those on political run were lightweights and would burn out before facing him in the presidential race.
“I know where I am looking and I know my weight. These ones you see here cannot manage the long race. So do not fear or be worried. Lies have been propagated but truth will prevail in due course,” he said.
Drifting away
Apart from Rift Valley and Central Kenya MPs who formed the majority of those who attended the Eldoret meeting, legislators from Coast, Kisii, Eastern and North Eastern also attended the function.
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