Rift in ODM widens as Kosgey joins Ruto

Political waters in the Orange Democratic Movement party (ODM) supremacy battle are experiencing fresh turbulence as the rivarly between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Eldoret North MP William Ruto appears far from settled.

Former Industrialization minister and MP for Tinderet Henry Kosgey openly declared his support for Ruto as the former higher education minister announced that his preferred political vehicle in next year’s elections is the United Democratic Movement – UDM.

Ruto, who has remained adamant against a possible reconciliation with his party leader Raila, dismissed the perception that international criminal court proceedings at The Hague will deter his presidential bid.
 

Nominated MP Joe Nyagah, also the minister for co-operatives thanked the Kalenjin community for supporting ODM in the last election but counseled against those bent on using political differences amongst the leaders to divide the country.

Meanwhile, Former KANU YK 92 operator and Lugari MP, Cyrus Jirongo on Saturday officially announced ditching his KADDU party for United Democratic Movement (UDM).

He said the move was aimed at improving his political affiliations as he prepares to join the grand match to State House later next year.

The move also has served a death knell to his former party, KADDU, where he was currently the only Member of Parliament in the august house.

Jirongo, who led the expensive KANU re-election juggernaut in the 90’s, lauded UDM pointing out that the party was now assuming a national outlook.

The envisaged outfit will be led by Eldoret North MP and suspended Higher Education minister, William Ruto.

His official presidential campaigns, he said, will kick off next week where he anticipates addressing the crowd at Mbale grounds in Vihiga County, the turf of his political nemesis, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government, Musalia Mudavadi.

UDM was founded in the 90’s after Jirongo and former Cherangany MP, Kipruto Kirwa, fell out with retired president Daniel arap Moi.

The MP, who was addressing his constituents at the Pan Paper grounds, pledged to ensure that squatters, who were settled in the Mautuma forest, were issued with title deeds to avoid the replication of the Mau forest saga.