CORD
leader Raila Odinga’s key allies in the Rift Valley are now warming up to
Deputy President William Ruto as he moves to replace rebel URP leaders ahead of
the 2017 elections.
Some
of key figures in North and South Rift who vigorously campaigned for Cord ahead
of the March 4, 2013 general election are switching their allegiance to the
newly-formed Jubilee Alliance Party.
In
a push to keep his firm grip on Rift Valley politics, Ruto has established a
fresh lineup of leaders he will be fronting in 2017 to replace the current
governors and MPs who have been rebelling against him.
Among
those targeted to be dropped are Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto, his Nandi
counterpart Cleophas Lagat and Paul Chepkwony (Kericho).
Vocal
Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter is also among the members of National Assembly who
is likely to be locked out of JAP.
Prominent
persons who stood by Raila and Cord in the run-up to the 2013 poll despite the
URP-Jubilee wave that swept the Rift Valley include former ODM chairman and
Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey, former Roads minister Frankline Bett
and former East African Community minister Moses Sirma.
Others
are former Agriculture minister Sally Kosgei, former Higher Education minister
Margaret Kamar and former Kipkelion MP Magerer Langat.
The
politicians have maintained a low profile since losing in the elections.
Sources
say former Konoin MP Julius Kones is set to replace governor Rutto in Bomet.
Kones lost to Rutto during URP’s nomination in 2013. Kones has been the
chairman of National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation since December
2013.
Rutto
has sustained sharp criticism against the Deputy President and Jubilee
government.
Kosgey,
who has been under pressure to join JAP, is earmarked to replace Lagat as the
Nandi governor.
Bett
has been identified to replace Chepkwony in Kericho.
Chepkwony
is not only accused of learning and taking instructions from governor Rutto,
but also pushing for a national referendum contrary to the Jubilee position.
Last
weekend Bett defected from ODM to JAP.
Though
he did not specify the seat he will be vying for, Bett said he wants one of the
top seats in Kericho county on a JAP ticket.
He
made it clear to current Bureti MP Leonard Sang that is not eyeing the
parliamentary seat.
In
Baringo county, Ruto has lined up former Eldama Ravine MP Moses Sirma.
Sirma
was Raila’s key ally in 2013 but has recently warmed up to the Deputy
President's camp.
Last
weekend he participated in high-profile fundraisers where he represented Ruto
in Baringo county.
Yesterday
in a telephone interview, Sirma said though he is yet to identify the seat he
will be vying for, he is now in JAP.
“I
am now working with all the other leaders from Rift Valley including our Deputy
President. You will see in the coming days what we are up to but for now know
that were are a strong team. I will let you know the seat I will be vying for,
