Nairobi — CABINET Minister William Ruto has invited Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta to be the guests of honour at a fundraising in aid of the Mau forest evictees.

"Uhuru has agreed to preside over the drive but we want as many guests as possible to turn up.so that we can help our people survive the hardship accompanying this cruel moments of their lives," said Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto.

The function is yet another sign of the growing animosity between Ruto and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Tourism minister Najib Balala has also been invited to the harambee which will be held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre tomorrow. Balala has recently been openly criticising Raila.

Over the weekend Raila accused ministers of 'shedding crocodile tears" over the ongoing evictions of illegal squatters in the Mau forest.

In Siongiroi stadium at the weekend, Raila dismissed the attempts by some ministers to raise funds for the evictees. Raila did not identify those ministers of being "hypocrites" who misled their people that they were not consulted when Cabinet took the decision to evict people from the Mau.

Tomorrow's function will bring together many ODM politicians who have in recent weeks distanced themselves from Raila.

Another rally is scheduled to be held at the coast this weekend where more anti-Raila rhetoric is expected.

Yesterday, Kaloleni MP Kazungu Kambi confirmed that he will be hosting Ruto, Balala and other MPs allied to them at a series of fundraising events.

Both Uhuru and Kalonzo are expected to rival Raila in the race for president during the next elections.

MP Isaac Ruto said the fundraising organisers will not accept donations from politicians who have accused the Rift Valley MPs of hypocrisy.

"Everyone is welcomed but not from those who have been claiming we are shedding crocodile tears. I do not think anyone will accept Raila's donations for that matter," Isaac Ruto said.

He said the group was targeting "millions of shillings" which to buy temporary tents,food and blankets for the evictees.

"We want anyone out there who is willing to help us get as much food as possible. This is our concern,"he said.

Information minister Samuel Poghisio confirmed that he was involved.

"I am part of the organizers. I am currently abroad for an official meeting but all plans are set for the success of the funds drive,"said Poghisio.

He insisted that the funds raised will not be used to buy land but only to provide food and basic necessities for the 1,700 families who have voluntarily left the Mau forest as they had no land titles.

"The ultimate solution to the Mau problem still rests with the government handling the matter as we had agreed," Poghisio said.

MPs from the region have been insisting that the government should provide the squatters with alternative land or compensate them. However, Cabinet, attended by Rift ministers, decided in July that only those who have titles to land in the Mau will be compensated. Those leaving voluntarily have no titles.

Over the weekend, the Keyio North MP Lukas Chepkitony and Konoin MP Dr Julius Kones said they had been mobilising people to attend the funds drive.

Yesterday several meetings were held by different MPs to finalize plans but by yesterday evening some leaders from the region had not yet been invited for the harambee.

Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat warned the pro-Ruto group against politicising the Mau evictions for political purposes.

"The suffering of our people should not be used to settle political scores. We must all go and help the people but Ruto and Raila should find a forum to fight their wars and not use the problem of the people of Mau,"he said.

He said that he would attend the funds drive for evictees though he had not been invited.