G-7 UNITY SHATTERED AS RUTO DISMISSES KALONZO

[phil]

Kenya: Ruto Won't Deal With VP Kalonzo

7 October 2011

IT is back to politics as usual now that our leaders have returned from the Hague. Eldoret North MP William Ruto is about to launch a nationwide series of rallies but his allies are making it clear that they do not see a place for Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka. Ruto wants to do a political deal with Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa rather than the Vice President.

Ruto believes that Kalonzo will not be willing to compromise on a joint presidential candidate if the G7 Alliance does not give him the ticket, multiple sources close to the former Higher Education Minister told the Star yesterday. "We think Uhuru and Eugene can support Ruto if he emerges the the best candidate. Kalonzo believes that it should be him and because of that Ruto has decided to go across the country popularising his United Democratic Party so that he can have solid support to bargain with Uhuru," said an MP close to Ruto.

But Kalonzo's ally and joint government chief whip Johnstone Muthama dismissed the plans to bypass Kalonzo saying the move would instead strengthen the VP's chances of succeeding President Kibaki next year. "Those talking of succession and claiming that Kalonzo cannot be trusted are tribalists who should be ignored. What Kenyans need at the moment is a leader who can unite them and the VP has been doing that so far," said Muthama.

He said the VP will work with other PNU leaders to ensure that "the right people form the next government and I pray that ODM remains strong in the opposition". Ruto plans to contest the presidency through UDM but is engaged in a legal tussle with Gen (Rtd) John Koech for the control of the party. Kalonzo is the party leader of ODM-K. Uhuru is Kanu chairman while Eugene is planning to contest the presidency for New Ford Kenya.

In August Kalonzo told a church service in Kakamega that the G-7 alliance was non-existent even as Ruto insisted the group would form the next government. Kalonzo said he was against the idea of individuals coming together on tribal lines. "There is nothing like G-7 alliance. I prefer parties uniting for a common cause and not individuals coming together because that will tribalise the country," said Kalonzo.

The remarks caused G7 leaders to quickly convene a meeting and photo-opportunity at Norfolk Hotel in a bid to show that they were still united. "The issue of Kalonzo is neither here nor there especially after the remarks he made in Vihiga to the effect that the race will be between him and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The G7's future will depend on the commitment of each party leader, their willingness to compromise and how many votes each one of them can bring to the table," said Cherengany MP Joshua Kuttuny yesterday. "There is a lot of anxiety and suspicion in G7 especially because we operate in an amorphous way. For now no formula has been agreed. Factors like experience alone we will not count. Ruto wants to play in a team that has cohesion, trust and focus," added Kuttuny.

Kalonzo has denied reports that he has been reaching out through emissaries to Raila to make a political deal ahead of the 2012 election. Kalonzo believes that the G7 Alliance will not give him the presidential ticket even though he is the most senior and experienced candidate, according to multiple sources. To strengthen his position, Ruto has embarked on a countrywide tour to market the UDM. Last weekend he was in Coast province hosted by Trade minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere who may become his vice-presidential running mate.

Today Ruto leaves for the greater Kisii area where he will be hosted by former ODM treasurer Omingo Magara before going to western Kenya where he will camp for five days. "From Western we will come to Rift Valley where we will tour most of the counties before heading to North Eastern Kenya. As Raila is busy opening seminars, we will be busy speaking to the people directly," said Magara.

[mossad]

Ooh poor Kalonzo ;D he should read the writing on the wall. No body struts him al all.

[phil]

Oct 7, 2011 23:29:07 GMT 3 mossad said:

Ooh poor Kalonzo ;D he should read the writing on the wall. No body struts him al all.

Actually, Ruto is a far much worse untrustworthy friend than Kalonzo considering Kalonzo was an LDP stalwart and a 2005 referendum NO proponent and that Kalonzo was a 'credible 3rd in 2007 presidential elections..

William shagged Kenyans in Naivasha PSC retreat, he was later to be shagged himself in parliament before the referendum, only to end up making an appearance at Uhuru Park promulgation ceremony, smilling broadly, and being seen to be high-fiving fellow Hague fugive Omar Al-Bashir.

At least Kalonzo pitiaz katikati.

[moesha]

Kalonzo will be a game changer in 2012. He may determine who becomes' PORK so I would not dismiss him that easily. He has read the G-7 script and figured there is no way they are going to support him. If people are weary of another mt Kenya presidency, he is the other alternative. He is going to give Raila a run for his money.

Also didnt I read somewhere that Kalonzo, Uhuru and Saitoti had formed a pact that they would support one candidate ( whoever gets majority votes) in 2012. That was before ICC. What has changed since then?

[nowayhaha]

Rutos national appeal has been enhanced by being dropped from education ministry post.He has more time to "tour" and market himself and his party . At this rate he is surely downsizing Raila political base especially in areas where ODM as a party got massive support during last elections like the Coast ,N.Eastern, Eastern and of course he has already bagged the Riftvalley. This is good for the G-7 as the 2012 elections wont be about numbers alone but also counties . Attest to how Raila became a front runner in the 2007 elections .Honestly speaking Ruto has been a good student of Railas political games .......Will this make him the G-7 flag bearer , If he comes out on tops during the joint-nomination ...well and good , based on his performances in the ministries he has held he has the qualities to lead the country.

[b6k]

Nowayhaha, since WSR doesn't have a get out of jail free card on all matters PEV as RAO has he'll have to get over the ICC hurdle first. His case goes back a couple years before actual PEV so it may not be as simple as he may think.

[subsaharanite]

I have stated again and again, the G-7 alliance is made up of individuals whose only aim is to prevent Raila from state house - nothing else. They have nothing in common other than that. They cannot decide for themselves. The 'big two' by virtue of their potential vote numbers, Uhuru and Ruto are hoodwinking the rest and Kalonzo knows this. These two guys want to monopolize Kenyan leadership whereby a toss-up presidency between the Kikuyu and Kalenjin is maintained. So they just need a few other votes from other regions to fulfill the constitutional threshold. UK and Ruto will never allow the others to be their flag bearer within the alliance, if they do, the presidential ping- pong will have a third tribe in the equation. This will break their perfectly laid leadership monopoly. Akina Eugene are beginning to sense this.

On the other hand, its plausible that these alliance may be playing with the minds of ODM. They may have resorted to creating artificial tension amongst themselves so as to throw off ODM's camp as the latter cannot effectively plan for a war against an unseen or veiled enemy. They maybe buying time before they reveal their lineup such that ODM wont have sufficient time before the elections to properly constitute a formidable team.
Either way as events play out, its highly likely that the reigns of power will finally cross the great rift, come 2012.

[mzee]

Jirongo is always full of it. He just needs some handouts from Uhuruto and he will shut up forever. That’s it. So don’t be hoodwinked.

One thing he is right about is that the G7/KK/PDP etc. is a vehicle specifically designed for Uhuru Kenyatta. If Ruto likes and I mean likes, he can be a running mate. For now he is acting as Uhurus lead campaigner, which coming to think about it, he is. The KKK/G7 Mt. Kenyan branch will never allow Ruto to sit at the wheel of this vehicle.

Blocking Raila is not a pressing issue to Kenyans, which one can hinge a whole presidential campaign. Its already backfiring and I know it won’t stand the test of time. Kenyans are not stupid to elect murderers for president. Let the campaigns begin and let truth start coming out. I promise that no Kenyan would want to touch these guys (G7/G5/G3/G1) with a hundred meter pole.

As for Kalonzo, he must go it alone again, just the way he did last time for he killed all his chances by helping Kibaki rig the elections. Now that Kibaki is sitting pretty, he does not even think about Kalonzo. The big “thank you” Kalonzo was expecting has become a nightmare. The only other option he has is to join akina Uhuru as a “third wheel” or join ODM as a “spare wheel”. This is what usaliti can bring about.

[nowayhaha]

Ruto says his relationship with Kalonzo is okay

Eldoret North MP William Ruto yesterday refuted claims that there were rifts in their political alliance, the G7. The MP said his relationship with Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and other other members of the alliance was intact.

Ruto who was responding to reports that he was not ready to work with Kalonzo dismissed the allegations saying the alliance would soon conduct nationwide rallies to affirm their relationship. "My relationship with Kalonzo is good. By taking different routes during campaigns does not mean that we are having differences," said the MP who was adressing journalists during a tree planting season at the University of Nairobi, Kabete Campus.

Hev said G7 alliance is ushing a common goal and whoever wins the nomination, he would get support of the rest. He said he was confident that G7 will form the next government and said those expecting a break up were doomed to fail. "This is an alliance to watch.We have everything in place and we are prepared to take the leadership of this country," he said.

Separately, ODM-K member of parliment Mohamed Affey supported Ruto's call saying the VP had never crossed ways with Ruto. Speaking to Star on phone, Affey who is a nominated MP dismissed the reports as rumours. "The VP had a meeting with Ruto afew days ago and I believe they were strategising on how to hold joint rallies when Uhuru returns back. That is not the right position." He said those who were spreading the rumours are their competitors who are already panicking.

www.the-star.co.ke/national/national/43681-ruto-says-his-relationship-with-kalonzo-is-okay

[nowayhaha]

G7 plots 2012 strategy in Kampala hotel

G7 leaders Kalonzo Musyoka, William Ruto and Eugene Wamalwa held a strategy meeting in Kampala on Saturday night. The three and a group of MPs allied to them trooped back to the Sheraton Hotel after the Harambee Stars match to deliberate on their unity. They took advantage of the Stars versus Uganda Cranes match to meet away from home in the wake of media reports depicting their disunity.

Kalonzo sponsored more than 10 buses to ferry Kenyan fans to Kampala while Ruto had sponsored three. But as Prime Minister Raila Odinga rushed to Entebbe Airport en route to Norway, his rivals retreated to their hotel room to strategise on how to defeat him in next years general election. MPs present were Johnstone Muthama, Victor Munyaka, David Langat and a group of their supporters who had travelled to Kampala.

According to one of those who attended the meeting, Kalonzo and Ruto reaffirmed their commitment to the G7 Alliance. They particularly stressed on the need to hold public rallies together to assure their supporters that they still working together. “Of course, there have been doubts from within and without, but tonight the leaders have vehemently vowed to work together,” the source added.

The G7, according to insiders, is planning countrywide rallies to popularise their alliance, but at the same time the leaders will hold individual rallies for their parties. They are also said to have resolved to lobby for support both in the country and abroad by talking to world leaders and Kenyans in the diaspora.

After the meeting, the leaders who appeared jovial, emerged from their hotel and drove straight in a convoy to attend a dinner hosted by the Kenyan Embassy for the Stars. Yesterday, Kalonzo sent a message to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni whom he met before attending Ugandan Independence Day celebrations in the Northern town of Lira.

The Uganda President is said to be comfortable working with the group and has in the past met the leaders separately. “We told him to assure Museveni that our alliance is formidable and is determined to win next year’s election,” another source who was at the meeting said. Today (Monday) Kalonzo will hold a public lecture at the Makerere University about the benefits of a strong political federation for East Africa.

During the dinner Kalonzo hosted for the Stars team on Saturday night, he pledged to give them Sh500,000. He also promised to reward goalkeeper Arnold Origi an unspecified reward for his excellent display that ensured the Stars did not concede any goals.

www.the-star.co.ke/national/national/43784-g7-in-kampla-strategy-meeting

[politicalmaniac]

Oct 10, 2011 18:19:50 GMT 3 nowayhaha said:

But as Prime Minister Raila Odinga rushed to Entebbe Airport en route to Norway, his rivals retreated to their hotel room

Why did the PNU folks have to retreat?

[akinyi2005]

;D ;D ;D This group has held these meetings every weekend in just about every major hotel in Kenya. Anyone knows any new/firm resolutions that have come out of these strategy meetings?

[nowayhaha]

G7 Alliance vows to hold together till 2012


In Summary

* Ruto and Wamalwa condemn Lugari MP for ‘speaking on their behalf’

Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo on Monday came under attack from leaders of the G7 alliance for dismissing the grouping.

The leaders of the G7 alliance vowed to stick together ahead of 2012 elections and dismissed claims that it will disintegrate before the polls.

Speaking in Kebura Nchogu Primary school in South Mugirango Constituency, the alliance led by Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Mr Eugene Wamalwa (Saboti), Mr Isaac Ruto (Chepalungu) and former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara said their alliance will form the next government.

The MPs said they have not appointed anybody to speak on their behalf terming Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo’s remarks as “outrageous”. (READ: I have quit G7 Alliance, says Jirongo)

“Who is Jirongo to speak on behalf of G7 Alliance, when was he appointed the party’s spokesperson?” posed Chepalungu MP.

On Sunday Mr Jirongo claimed that G7 will disintegrate ahead of next elections and that some members of the alliance were President Kibaki’s project of succession politics.

The Eldoret MP expressed optimism that their alliance will make the next government claiming that the country needs leaders who are not out to serve their selfish interests.

Selfish interests

“The G7 have agreed to trade above selfish interests because of the unity of Kenyans across the border, not what an individual will gain out of leadership,” said Mr Ruto.

Separately, Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’ poured cold water on G7 alliance terming it as “a basket full of busybodies which has reached dead end”.

Mr Kajwang’ said the political groupings of G-7 and PNU alliances were busy going round the same circle due to panic at ODM.

“There is too much smoke coming out from their kitchen with very little cooking going on,” he said.

www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/G7+Alliance+vows+to+hold+together+till+2012+/-/1064/1253454/-/x6t7tw/-/index.html