Cord leader Raila Odinga discussed Kenya’s political landscape with Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto when he visited him in Chepalungu on Saturday.
Raila, Rutto’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi party and other opposition outfits are believed to be setting up an alliance that will unite them ahead of 2017 general elections.
The alliance is a potentially formidable initiative uniting them against President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Jubilee Party.
It aims to undermine DP William Ruto’s influence in his South Rift Valley backyard, where some leaders are shepherding the key region’s voters away from the ruling Jubilee coalition.
The Governor said they also discussed matters of national interest, including devolution.
The opposition leader posted pictures of him and Rutto on Facebook, eliciting reactions by Kenyans who either supported or dismissed the ‘alliance’.
Cord leader Raila Odinga with Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto at the latter’s Chepalungu home, December 3, 2016. /COURTESY
“What we want is for the Jubilee government to go home,” said James Wekesa.
User Chicharito Iddy congratulated the “father of democracy” for “striking a political deal”.
But Laban Koros said the DP will not be defeated even if Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter are included in the alliance.
“When King Ruto, whom you fear more than death, starts his politics he will reduce you people to nothing… Wait and see,” he wrote.
Others on the social media platform asked the Governor to urge the DP to let go of Jubilee Party and join the opposition.
“Please advice Ruto because he is lost in Mount Kenya and will never be found,” said Noor Diyad.
Cord leader Raila Odinga with Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto at the latter’s Chepalungu home, December 3, 2016. /COURTESY
Some asked Raila to return to his home county and think up another strategy for getting into government and fighting corruption.
Lucy Gichuhi noted that the poor continue to suffer in Bomet county. Members of the public across the country complain that leaders win elections through manifestos that they discard once they are in office.
“Oh, I forgot you can’t feel it… Big vehicles… Anyway, get in government and fight corruption,” said Gichuhi.
A user named Ithe wa Karol said Rutto was associating himself with “people with no political clout” who have not been able to win some communities’ votes.
But Geoffrey Boge told Raila to stop bothering himself and that that Rutto was trying to pocket him.
-the-star.co.ke
