Kenya - Plot Thickens As VP Open To Raila Talks
At about 10am on Saturday, Eldoret North MP William Ruto was at Wilson Airport in Nairobi to catch a flight to Taita Taveta county. Some ...
http://www.africaeagle.com/2012/10/plot-thickens-as-vp-open-to-railatalks.html
At about 10am on Saturday, Eldoret North MP William Ruto was at Wilson Airport in Nairobi to catch a flight to Taita Taveta county.
Some 15 minutes later, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka arrived to address a news conference he had called to speak about alliance building ahead of the March 2013 elections.
As the VP exchanged greetings with journalists, Mr Ruto walked out of the waiting room apparently after receiving a telephone call. He had been waiting for his helicopter with Environment minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere and Dujis MP Aden Duale.
Although Mr Musyoka inquired about the whereabouts of Mr Ruto, whom he referred to as “Billy”, the duo did not meet for the close to 30 minutes that they were at the airport to catch flights to different destinations.
The helicopter by which the Eldoret North MP travelled took off as the VP left the conference room. Mr Musyoka was on his way to Samburu.
The cold relations at the airport perhaps signifies the latest phase in the roller-coaster of alliance building that has dominated the political landscape in the past few weeks.
It emerged that Mr Ruto and Deputy Prime Minister and TNA leader Uhuru Kenyatta may have crafted an election pact that excludes Mr Musyoka.
Indeed, on Saturday, Mr Musyoka invited Mr Duale and Mr Mwakwere to his press conference but they politely declined.
Mr Duale, the URP spokesman, later told local correspondent they would not attend the press conference because the VP’s agenda did not concern them.
The VP told journalists that he had not started any pre-election coalition talks with ODM contrary to the statements made on Thursday in Kangundo by his key ally Johnstone Muthama, who hosted Prime Minister Raila Odinga and other Orange leaders to lunch and a political rally in Tala.
But Mr Musyoka said the two parties could still talk on peace, unity and stability of the country.
“We are mid-wifing rebirth of the Kenyan nation,” he said. “There’s need for Kenyans to set aside their suspicion, prejudice and bitterness.”
Reports of a new political alliance between Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka came to the fore after Mr Muthama, the Kangundo MP, said on Wednesday that the VP and Mr Odinga should agree on who would run for president and who would be running mate.
The remarks were backed by Mr Odinga’s allies, including ODM chairman Henry Kosgey and Lands minister James Orengo at rallies in Machakos county. In Kangundo, Mr Odinga said his visit was a sign of things to come.
“We have come a long way together and whenever we reach an agreement things happen,” the PM said.
But on Saturday, Mr Musyoka said his party had a relationship with TNA, URP, New Ford-Kenya and Alliance Party of Kenya and asserted that he “likes keeping friends”.
The VP who appeared to have softened his stance that his Wiper Democratic Movement would not negotiate with ODM said dialogue should be above suspicion, participatory and not through random pronouncements.
As the VP exchanged greetings with journalists, Mr Ruto walked out of the waiting room apparently after receiving a telephone call. He had been waiting for his helicopter with Environment minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere and Dujis MP Aden Duale.
Although Mr Musyoka inquired about the whereabouts of Mr Ruto, whom he referred to as “Billy”, the duo did not meet for the close to 30 minutes that they were at the airport to catch flights to different destinations.
The helicopter by which the Eldoret North MP travelled took off as the VP left the conference room. Mr Musyoka was on his way to Samburu.
The cold relations at the airport perhaps signifies the latest phase in the roller-coaster of alliance building that has dominated the political landscape in the past few weeks.
It emerged that Mr Ruto and Deputy Prime Minister and TNA leader Uhuru Kenyatta may have crafted an election pact that excludes Mr Musyoka.
Indeed, on Saturday, Mr Musyoka invited Mr Duale and Mr Mwakwere to his press conference but they politely declined.
Mr Duale, the URP spokesman, later told local correspondent they would not attend the press conference because the VP’s agenda did not concern them.
The VP told journalists that he had not started any pre-election coalition talks with ODM contrary to the statements made on Thursday in Kangundo by his key ally Johnstone Muthama, who hosted Prime Minister Raila Odinga and other Orange leaders to lunch and a political rally in Tala.
But Mr Musyoka said the two parties could still talk on peace, unity and stability of the country.
“We are mid-wifing rebirth of the Kenyan nation,” he said. “There’s need for Kenyans to set aside their suspicion, prejudice and bitterness.”
Reports of a new political alliance between Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka came to the fore after Mr Muthama, the Kangundo MP, said on Wednesday that the VP and Mr Odinga should agree on who would run for president and who would be running mate.
The remarks were backed by Mr Odinga’s allies, including ODM chairman Henry Kosgey and Lands minister James Orengo at rallies in Machakos county. In Kangundo, Mr Odinga said his visit was a sign of things to come.
“We have come a long way together and whenever we reach an agreement things happen,” the PM said.
But on Saturday, Mr Musyoka said his party had a relationship with TNA, URP, New Ford-Kenya and Alliance Party of Kenya and asserted that he “likes keeping friends”.
The VP who appeared to have softened his stance that his Wiper Democratic Movement would not negotiate with ODM said dialogue should be above suspicion, participatory and not through random pronouncements.
