KENYA TIMES   Aril 4,2007
(sent by Ruttoh Pollyzzarrioh)

 Step down for Raila, Ruto told

By TITUS MAERO

As the contest for ODM-Kenya presidential ticket intensifies, a group of Nandi professionals has urged Eldoret North MP William Ruto to withdraw his candidature in favour of Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga.

The chairman of the Group, Simeon Kosgey, yesterday said that among the ODM-K presidential aspirants, Raila was more qualified to be the party’s flag-bearer.

Kosgey called upon Ruto give way to Raila and instead be his running mate should Raila secure the party’s presidential ticket.

Other aspirants in the race for the ticket include former vice president Musalia Mudavadi, Nazlin Umar, Kalonzo Musyoka, Najib Balala, Uhuru Kenyatta and Dr Julia Ojiambo.

Speaking to reporters after a closed-door meeting with members of the Nandi professional group in Eldoret town, Kosgey said it was time Raila was left to contest for the presidential seat since he had contributed so much to the country’s political gains.

“What we as professionals are telling Ruto is that he should step down for Raila who had sacrificed so much for this country to vie for the country’s top political seat,” he added.