Nairobi — Agriculture minister William Ruto this week moved to consolidate his power base in Rift Valley Province ahead of the ODM grassroots elections scheduled for next month.

In a show of political might, the Eldoret North MP on Friday hosted 21 MPs and 564 councillors drawn from the Kalenjin community at his home in Sugoi, Eldoret North constituency.

By show of hands, the leaders endorsed him for the position of ODM deputy party leader.

The councillors were drawn from all parties including ODM, PNU, Kanu, UDM and ODM-K.

The meeting is the first of its kind to be held by a member of the Pentagon since the formation of the grand coalition government.

And it kicks off a period of intense campaigns and strategising for top party posts during the ODM elections which are set to take place between November 22 and 24.

Journalists were barred from live coverage of the six-hour meeting.

But sources say it was aimed at taking stock of the community's achievements and the challenges it faces within the party and in the grand coalition government.

It was also aimed at consolidating the community to speak in one voice during the up-coming ODM elections.

Several issues

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Ruto said the leaders had discussed several issues among them constitutional reform, Mau evictions, resettlement of internally displaced persons, salaries for councillors and the ODM power structure.

However, he once again steered clear of the simmering debate over the post of deputy party leader.

But it emerged that the leaders had unanimously endorsed Mr Ruto to vie for the seat.

"That was actually one of the main items for discussion," said Joshua Kutuny, Cherangany MP.

While giving a vote of thanks at the meeting, Eldoret East MP Margaret Kamar asked the leaders to indicate by show of hands if they supported Mr Ruto for the post and they all endorsed him.

Mr Ruto has been under intense pressure from Rift Valley leaders to gun for the post. The leaders say the minister and the community had already made enough sacrifice for the sake of party unity.

"For us to feel part and parcel of this party, we should be given this post," said Konoin MP Julius Kones, in reference to the position of ODM deputy party leader.

This is the position that has set Kalenjin and Luhya leaders on a collision course. Luhya leaders argue that since Mr Mudavadi was Mr Odinga's running mate in last year's General Election, he ought to retain the seat in preparation to take over from Mr Odinga.

Party unity

"The Luhya leaders should understand that they cannot have everything. Mudavadi was given the post of Deputy Prime Minister yet Ruto got nothing. It is their turn to sacrifice for the sake of party unity," said Mr Kutuny. Should Ruto be made deputy party leader, then he would be next in party command to succeed Mr Odinga.

To end the wrangling between the two leaders, close allies of Mr Odinga are said to have proposed the creation of positions for two deputy party leaders.

But Rift Valley legislators have trashed the idea. They say it is a cowardly way of handling party matters and would not adequately reward the community.

"You cannot keep on creating posts to satisfy all groups. This will bloat the party structure and water down the posts," said the Konoin MP.

Grand opposition

The meeting is also said to have supported the formation of a grand opposition in parliament, a move that would set the leaders in direct conflict with Mr Odinga who has vehemently opposed the idea.

"We have resolved as a community to support the idea since it is for the benefit of the country. And we are glad that we had the support of Mr Ruto," said Mr Kutuny.

He added that this stand would not in any way affect the relationship between the Prime Minister and Mr Ruto. "ODM is a democratic party and Mr Odinga should respect the opinions of other people," he said.

In a move widely seen by political observers as a bid to consolidate his grassroots support, Mr Ruto said the meeting also resolved to support councillors' quest for more powers and better pay to reflect their responsibilities.

The party will sponsor a bill to be tabled by Mosop MP David Koech to have councillors paid through the consolidated fund.

On the impending Mau evictions, the leaders said they would only support it after alternative land has been made available to the evictees.

They said that though they support conservation of the water tower, the eviction as proposed by the Prime Minister would punish people who legally bought land in the area.

"The way the Prime Minister is going about it is illegal in the first place," said Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto. He added: "And we agreed at the meeting that the government must follow the laid down rules that govern evictions. No one will be moved unless they are assured of new land and funded to re-build their homes."

Ruto rallied the support of the MPs and councillors in agitating for a new constitution. He urged the councillors to put pressure on the government to deliver a new constitution within the time frame it gave itself.

"You as grassroots leaders should pile pressure on those concerned, like us in Government, to kick-start the process," he said.

Too much power

Mr Kutuny said they had resolved to support a parliamentary system of government. He said this was the best way to ensure that power is devolved to the grassroots and ensure equitable distribution of resources.

"Any other system will not do justice to Kenyans. The problems of this country are caused by too much power being concentrated in the presidency. The parliamentary system will do away with many of these problems and distribute resources equally," he said.

He added that this was the solution to the problems that have plagued the cosmopolitan province since independence.

General Election

Kalenjin leaders have complained that they were not adequately rewarded for the support they gave Mr Odinga during last year's General Election. At times they have threatened to withdraw their support for the party and the Prime Minister.

During last week's thank-you ceremony for Marakwet East MP Boaz Kaino for instance, Mr Ruto said the community's interests within the party must be taken care of.

"We ought to be respected because we are the major shareholders in ODM. We shall therefore iron out the issues that are causing divisions within the party. But should we fail to agree, then we shall come and tell you the direction we shall take," he said.

Meanwhile, Members of Parliament from the Rift Valley are now pushing for the election of a president through parliament.

Agriculture minister William Ruto said that was one of the resolutions passed during the Friday meeting. "We as MPs from the Rift Valley have resolved to drive that agenda as we embark on the constitutional review process. Our area was the worst hit by the chaos and we do not want a repeat," he said.

The minister said the proposed system would reduce incidents of post-election violence and the tribal-based politics in the country, which he blamed for the violence after the December general elections.

"It is only when Parliament is given the mandate to elect the country's president who will be answerable to it that election-related violence will end," he said.

The Eldoret North MP said the government should put in place measures to keep the youth gainfully occupied, saying that changing the government system without changing the fortunes of the citizens would in itself be futile.

Peace race

Mr Ruto was speaking at Momoniak Primary School in Kipekelion District where he flagged off the Kipkelion peace race. He was hosted by area MP Magerer Langat and accompanied by assistant minister Charles Keter and Bureti MP Frnklin Bett.

Mr Ruto said MPs should come together and ensure a new constitution is put in place without undue delay. "It is God who held this country together and put in place a government of all parties. This is the best time to put in place a new constitution that has eluded us for many years," he said.

The other legislators at the function echoed Mr Ruto's sentiments saying they had taken a common position on the matter at the Friday meeting.

Mr Keter said leaders from the region would ensure that nobody was evicted from the Mau Forest unless the South Rift MPs agree.