TESO opinion leaders yesterday kick started behind -the- scenes campaigns to have URP leader William Ruto reciprocate the community for winning two MP seats for him.

Despite voting unanimously for Cord presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, the community elected Arthur Odera as Teso North MP and Mary Emase in Teso South on URP tickets.

Led by William Indeke, the community appealed to Ruto to appoint Odera to the cabinet with a promise to elect his replacement on a URP ticket.

In a quick rejoinder, Odera said it is the prerogative of the President through the party leader to consider him for the Cabinet Secretary portfolio. "The cabinet secretary is a bigger national responsibility which I won't hesitate to take if it comes my way

I am not worried. People grow in stages and my time may be in the offing to become the first person from the community to achieve the feat," he said.

Odera said cabinet positions are few with URP allotted only 11, thus the need by the Teso community to be patient. He said there are many things which the community might benefit as a result of his inclusion in the Jubilee government.

"The Iteso suffered under previous administrations and expressed optimism that the government will this time round consider the community for various appointments," he said.

The constitution envisages a cabinet of between 14 and 22. The Teso community is banking on ethnic and regional balance to secure one slot.

Since independence no person from the community has been appointed to the cabinet with Oduya Oprong, Achia Echakara, Pancras Otwani, Albert Ekirapa and Sospeter Ojaamong serving as assistant ministers.

The new constitution dicatates that cabinet secretaries are picked outside parliament, and those picked from parliament have to relinguish their elective seats.