Reported By Leo Odera Omolo.

THE majority of the residents of South Rift region support the draft constitution. But they would like the clauses, on the issues between MPs and religious leaders, to be looked into in a sober manner that would not hinder its ratification.

Koske appealed to politicians in the South Rift who are opposed to the new constitution to go slow on the issues because it has taken Kenyans twenty years of struggle to be able to get such a document passed by Parliament. They should let the logic and reason prevail over emotions.

Koske, who was an aspirant in Kipkellion Constituency in 2007, said only a few political hirelings and power brokers, not the ordinary Wananchi, have a quarrel with the document.

Koske told the leaders in the region not to mix national politics with the local development activities. He cited as a bad example the speeches which were made during the recent KNUT Harambee fund drive meeting in Kipkellion. Several MPs allied to the Minister for Agriculture William Ruto told the gathering that the Londiani-Fort-Tennan, which is linking the region with Koru and Muhoroni area of Nyanza, would not be paved unless Ruto, Uhuru Kenyatta, and President Kibaki give their blessings.

These kinds of speeches, which were packed full of lies and distortions, came only a week after the Prime Minister Raila Odinga had toured the area and told the residents that the government was working on a tentative plan to have the road, which is so important to the residents, tarmacked in the near future.

For any average right thinking and level minded Kenyan, speeches like this sound rather childish and full of confusion. President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Minister Ruto are serving one government and their supporters should cease making irresponsible and highly divisive speeches of this kind.

Koske, who hails from Londiani appealed to the Boundaries Commission and the Electoral Commission to consider sub-dividing Kipkellion into two Parliamentary constituencies, arguing that the area had registered close to 100,000 voters in the 2007 general election. The figure could outstrip the 2007 number with a large percentage. It is the largest constituency in the entire South Rift with six administrative divisions.

Kipkellion is a cosmopolitan constituency. Though the Kipsigis are the largest community, there are Kikuyus, Kisiis, Luos, Luhyias, Somalis and others there. The area had experienced communal violence previously. However, the residents have agreed to forge ahead together and are now working in unity of purpose, helping each other. They should be left alone to live in peace and harmony.

Koske appealed to Kipkellion constituents, particularly those aspiring for future leadership and parliamentary politics, to give the incumbent Hon. Magerer Lang’at time to speed up development by stopping premature campaigns for the seat. He said the MP controls a lot of government revolving funds, and he needs time to plan well for the constituency. Premature campaign could scare him off from taking active part in the development of the area, Koske said.

The Administrative Divisions in Kipkellion include Chepseon, Chichila, Sorget, Kipkellion, Fort-Tennan and Londiani. The area is densely populated with close to 300,000 people who need service deliveries to up lift their living standards. They need good roads, goods schools, health centers and dispensaries as well as good communication systems.

Asked whether the Prime Minister Raila Odinga is still a popular in the area, Koske said, the average Wananchi likes the Prime Minister despite the intensive campaign in the area by his detractors. He is viewed as the right man for the top job due to his track record and firm stand against corruption. But there is a general feeling in the entire South Rift that both Raila Odinga and William Ruto should work together in unity and harmony for the success of the ODM in the forthcoming general elections in 2012.

Koske also faulted the government for its inadequate publicity about the draft constitution. There should be more civic education in the rural areas so as to enlighten the people about the document. Kenyans do not understand its implications, its merit and demerits apart from what they are hearing over radio and TV stations.

Raila and Ruto must remain vigilant and vigorously rebuttal the maneuvers by outsiders to divide the ODM and weaken the party. Even if Ruto leaves the ODM now, it would be too late for him to establish another alternative party and win the next general election, therefore he should be content with what they have in hand and work with Raila Odinga..

Koske warned politicians to stop using the jobless youths and to chart the way forward of creating more jobs for them either by reviving the collapsed industries or establishing the new ones.

Ends

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com