Leave Kalonzo Musyoka alone, CORD leader Raila Odinga tells Deputy President William Ruto

CORD Principal leader Raila Odinga has responded to Deputy President William Ruto, saying he has confidence with political performance of his co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka.

The former Prime Minister said he acknowledges remarks made by Ruto during his recent visit to Bondo, Raila’s backyard, but asked him to leave Kalonzo alone since he has good working relationship the former vice-president.

“Kalonzo ni mwanaume na anaweza (Kalonzo is a man and he is capable). And Ruto should come back home so that we work together,” said Raila.

Raila spoke when he joined hundreds of mourners during the burial ceremony of ODM ardent supporter Margaret Jepkoech Kimurgong, 46, at her Rokocho Farm in Uasin Gishu County yesterday.

The PM eulogised Margaret as a hard-working businesswoman who was also a close friend and a staunch ODM supporter.

“The news of her death shocked me because I was with her only five days earlier during a function in Elgeyo Marakwet and she was in sound health,” said Raila.

Raila also reminded his Rift Valley supporters that he is still Arap Mibey and ready to work with all leaders including Ruto.

The former PM who garnered huge support among the Rift Valley voters in the 2007 General Election stated: “I was given the name Arap Mibey in this region, and I have not changed because I still have supporters.”

During a Sunday service at ACK Bondo in Siaya last week, Ruto claimed that the former PM has never been his rival in politics and that he will lose again in 2017 if he sticks with Kalonzo, a remark that Raila challenged yesterday maintaining that voters will decide.

At the same time, Raila said the Government and the opposition have responsibilities to play to ensure economic growth.

Raila said Rift Valley region is the country’s grain basket but farmers still face challenges of poor prices for their produce including maize, milk and tea and the challenges should be addressed to ensure the sector is profitable.

“Our farmers are hard-working and they should get good returns for their sweat. Farmers suffer due to imports that affect the prices of agricultural commodities. Farmers are also about to harvest their produce and the government should de-congest National Cereals and Produce Board in readiness for the purchase of produce at good prices,” he said.

He expressed concern over continued drop in tea prices, saying farmers in Nandi and Kericho are frustrated due to returns that are as low as between Sh6 and Sh9 per kilogram.

He also called for the reverting of Kenya Corporative Creameries (KCC) to farmers and writing off debts so that they can identify strategic partner to work with in managing it.