Ruto allies say BBI bad for Mt Kenya

Deputy President William Ruto with Rev Peter Kania, the secretary general of PCEA, during the church's 50th anniversary celebrations in Karatina, Nyeri County, yesterday. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Deputy President William Ruto yesterday steered clear of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) debate as his allies continued to push for rejection of the yet to be published report.

The BBI team is set to hand over its report to President Uhuru Kenyatta anytime now amid speculation its contents touch on proposals that may alter Executive positions.

The team was formed following last year’s handshake between Uhuru and opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Yesterday, Ruto was in Mathira Constituency, Nyeri County, where he attended a dedication ceremony at Karatina PCEA church. He later attended a fundraiser at Ichuga PCEA church and a luncheon at the home of area MP Rigathi Gachagua.

The DP, who was accompanied by over 10 MPs and at least 20 MCAs from Nyeri and Kirinyaga, steered clear of BBI talk, telling residents that the State had set aside Sh2.1 billion for water projects in Mathira.

Reject proposals

But his allies asked Mt Kenya region voters to reject its proposals.

Speaking at Mr Gachagua’s home in Ruguru ward, Tetu MP Gichuhi Mwangi kicked off the debate, saying no leader should talk about it as Kenyans don’t know what it proposes.

“You cannot stop the tide regardless of the tactics being used to increase or reduce the seats. We are all ready to support Ruto in 2022,” he said. 

Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa said any proposal for Mt Kenya region, which has six million voters, to rely on 50 MPs to vote in a powerful prime minster would be an insult to the region.

“Whether it is BBI or any other attempt, we will not be swayed on our choice for 2022. We want the freedom to vote in a president of our choice,” she said.

Other MPs at the function included Mary Wamaua (Maragua) Jane Kihara (Naivasha), Gichuki Mugambi (Othaya), Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati), Rehema Jaldesa (Isiolo) and Halima Mucheke (Nominated).

“The BBI team was made up of elderly men and women from the Jubilee side while Raila’s team had lawyers and technocrats who pushed his agenda,” Ms Jaldesa said.