Nairobi — Wednesday evening's fundraising in aid of those evicted from the Mau Forest was a major political statement, interpreted as an alliance against Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The so-called 3-K grouping of Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Agriculture minister William Ruto has hitherto been the stuff of speculation or passing comments at public rallies. The 'K' refers not to the names of the promoters, but to the ethnic groups, the Kamba, Kikuyu and Kalenjin, they claim leadership of.

But it would seem that the Mau issue has provided the opportunity for the three politicians, all former key Kanu figures, to regroup and take the battle to Mr Odinga who has come to be seen as the driving force behind efforts to rid the vital Mau Forest complex of human encroachment.

The trio now appear to be speaking with one voice, taking issue with the eviction of the settlers without compensation and demanding for a "humane" face in the relocation. However, the new found unity among Mr Ruto, Mr Musyoka and Mr Kenyatta is being interpreted in political circles as a move to help cut Mr Odinga's political muscle and influence especially in the greater Rift Valley ahead of next polls.

The PM has been at the forefront of efforts to conserve the 400,000-hectare Mau Forest Complex whose years of destruction has threatened many livelihoods. Mr Musyoka has been recently criticised for talks of unity among Rift Valley, Central and Eastern residents ahead of 2012 elections, with many terming the move as tribal, divisive and outdated.

Residents of South Rift where Mau falls, voted for Mr Odinga almost to a man in 2007 elections, and now some politicians interpret his firm push for the removal of the settlers as a betrayal. The VP has been the most vocal proponent of the KKK group, sometimes to the discomfort of Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto who have publicly tried to distance themselves from ethnic alliances.

Mr Musyoka's recent foray into the Rift Valley where he joined Mr Ruto's allies in speaking against the Mau evictions was seen as directed at Mr Odinga.

Escalated fights

The PM has however countered his detractors by pointing out that the evictions were a government programme endorsed by the Cabinet and Parliament. His work as supervisor and coordinator of government business was to oversee the implementation. But Mr Odinga's opponents have taken advantage of the PM's role in the evictions to vilify him as they try to make inroads into the voter-rich province.

The Mau controversy has further escalated fights in ODM, threatening to split it between supporters of Mr Odinga and Mr Ruto. Mr Odinga is the ODM party leader while Local Government Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Mr Ruto are his deputies.

Although Cabinet minister William ole Ntimama, Regional Development's Fred Gumo, James Orengo (Lands) and Otieno Kajwang' (Immigration and Registration of Persons) are among those in ODM who have come out in support of Mr Odinga, Mr Ruto has gained sympathy from Roads minister Franklin Bett and Tourism's Najib Balala.

Mr Balala's stance has caused a major political realignment in Coast Province with wealthy Kisauni MP Ali Hassan Joho now replacing him as Mr Odinga's pointman in the region. Outside ODM, Environment minister John Michuki, Mr Kiraitu Murungi of Energy and Dr Noah Wekesa (Forestry and Wildlife) have come in defence of Mr Odinga while Mr Musyoka's and Mr Kenyatta's allies have thrown their weight behind Mr Ruto.

To show their seriousness in working together with Central and Eastern, Kalenjin MPs organised a fundraiser for yesterday to raise money to assist families removed from Mau. Cherengany MP Joseph Kutuny had said Mr Musyoka would be the chief guest. Mr Kutuny however said the harambee had nothing to do with politics and that positioning for 2012 polls will come later.

He said co-government chief whip George Thuo and ODM-K chairman Samuel Poghisio who are key allies of Mr Kenyatta and Mr Musyoka played a key role in organising the fund raiser to be held in Nairobi. Former President Moi, who fell out with Mr Ruto and his other former Kanu lieutenants prior to 2007 elections, is now reading from the same script with them over the Mau saga.

He is also a bitter critic of Mr Odinga. National Vision Party chairman Nicholas Biwott has also called for assistance of settlers leaving Mau. Also leading the onslaught against Mr Odinga in Rift Valley over his role in efforts to conserve Mau are Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto and Koinoin's Julius Kones.

Only nominated MP Musa Sirma has stood with the PM, amid fears that Mr Odinga could lose his crucial support from the region ahead of the 2012 polls.