[skylap]

Rift valley mps from the kalenjin community are divided over calls to either integrate or disband the united democratic movement party. Those opposed to the move want to use the party as the community’s bargaining chip in the 2012 general election. Udm has emerged from the doldrums to become the strongest challenger to odm’s political dominance in rift valley province. And now mps from the region on odm ticket are divided over the nature of relationship between the two parties. On their part, leaders supporting udm are calling for the strengthening of the party in readiness for the 2012 general election. “we are in odm for now. But in politics, nothing is permanent,” said mr lucas chepkitony, mp for keiyo north. “that is why we have to keep the party in case of any eventuality. We intend to popularise it.” supporting this position are mps peris simam (eldoret south), jackson kiptanui (keiyo south), magerer langat (kipkelion), isaac ruto (chepalungu), benjamin langat (ainamoi) and joshua kutuny (cherangany) and julius kones (konoin). In an attempt to downplay emerging divisions within the party, odm secretary general anyang’ nyong’o clarified that udm was an affiliate of odm. Konoin mp julius kones said those disowning udm are threatened by its growing popularity in the region. He claimed that the resurgence of the party particularly in the south rift is a threat to the dwindling fortunes of odm in the region. Chepalungu mp isaac ruto said odm only managed to retain the three seats in the by-elections due to sympathy for the families of the former legislators. Were the circumstances different, mr ruto argued, udm would have triumphed over odm by wide margins.

[Kukurukakakara]

Originally Posted by skylap

“We are in ODM for now. But in politics, nothing is permanent,” said Mr Lucas Chepkitony, MP for Keiyo North. “that is why we have to keep the party in case of any eventuality. We intend to popularise it.”

A smart move I must admit.