MP banks on running mate post to sway Rift Valley votes

By VITALIS KIMUTAI

ODM Chairman Henry Kosgey is seeking to consolidate his support in his quest to be Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s running mate.

The Tinderet MP has been consulting his supporters as he prepares to flex his political muscles in ODM strongholds.
Cheranganyi MP Joshua Kutuny last weekend gave a surprise backing to Kosgey’s bid to be Raila’s running mate, in a clear pointer to the changing political realignments.

“I support Kosgey’s quest for the top post in ODM. He deserves to be Raila’s running mate in the General Election,” Mr Kutuny said. The MP who hosted the former Industrialisation Minister in Cheranganyi last weekend heaped praises on him saying he had a wealth of experience in public affairs.

“Kosgey has served in various ministries in the former President Moi and President Kibaki regimes exposing him to vast experience in
management of Government affairs,” he said.

The Cheranganyi MP’s support was curious because he has shifted allegiance to Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s United Republican Party.

Kosgey is seeking to position himself as the most prominent and influential leader after the exit of Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Mr Ruto and former Tourism minister Najib Balala from ODM.

Former Eldoret South MP David Koros said the Tinderet MP’s non-controversial nature and sober approach to issues had endeared him to many people. “He is a respected elder and a politician with a wealth of experience, who understands the problems facing the people,” Mr Koros said. He told The Standard On Sunday in Nairobi that the former Industrialisation minister was the most suitable ODM official to be Raila’s running mate in the General Election.

“Kosgey commands a lot of respect in Rift Valley and has stood with the PM even when the centre seemed to be caving in. He has proved that the people at the grassroots are with Raila,” Koros said.

The former MP further stated that Kosgey had steered the party out of controversy even as rebel MPs painted it as dictatorial. “He has lived above petty partisan political interests and held on to the strong understanding that political storms are passing clouds. Time has vindicated him as Kenyans have come to the realisation that ODM is the party to beat in the General Election,” he said.

The MP held on to ODM even as he kept a low profile following the crimes against humanity case, which faced him at the International Criminal Court.

Kosgey returned to the limelight after ICC acquitted him, with his first function being when he led party officials including Medical Services Minister and ODM Secretary General Anyang Nyong’o, to pick the compliance certificate from the Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung’u two months ago. “Raila will have killed two birds with one stone if he picks Kosgey as the running mate. First, he will have a senior most party loyalist as his principal deputy, and will be turning the tables in Rift Valley by consolidating his support among voters,” said Councilor Stephen Kapchila of Marakwet County Council.

Kapchila believes that Rift Valley would be swing vote in the General Election and whoever picks a running mate from the region would influence the voting pattern.

But Councillor Majani Rono says the Tinderet MP lacks the charisma to mount a campaign that would see the residents of Rift Valley rally behind the PM. “Away from the North Rift and his Tinderet constituency, Kosgey has no tangible support in the Central and South Rift regions,” Rono said.