The Kirinyaga meeting attended by several Cabinet secretaries, governors and MPs that was partly marred by chaos and differences among the leaders is a clear indication that the Building Bridges Initiative is taking a different dimension - contrary to the one it was intended to achieve.
The matter is now becoming an avenue for leaders to settle political scores ahead of 2022 at the expense of uniting Kenyans.
But what is annoying most is the fact that Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, who is in charge of the government's humanitarian efforts in the wake of disasters, mobilised the huge meeting for a mere fundraiser while residents of West Pokot are mourning more than 60 people and several others are still missing.
Other parts of the country are also witnessing heavy rains that have led to deaths and destruction of property, subjecting the people to starvation, lack of shelter and clothing.
This begs the question: What is the role of Matiang'i and his group in this BBI issue? Are public officers allowed to go round the country campaigning for or against the BBI report?
The other big question is; why is it that the leaders who have been supporting the BBI from the onset are now against the implementation of its recommendations by Parliament? Senators and MPs are the people’s representatives and it is interesting that some of the legislators now say they have no faith in themselves to implement the BBI report. Wonders indeed never cease.
President Uhuru Kenyatta erred when he claimed in Bomas during the launch of the BBI report that there was nothing wrong with the chaos that were witnessed in the recent Kibra by-election because it involved leaders who could get medical attention in Nairobi hospitals.
The truth of the matter is that the BBI issue would further divide Kenyans as the government is already divided down the middle.
It is now clear that the initiative was not about unity but 2022 succession politics. Matiang'i should therefore leave politics to politicians and concentrate on the job he was employed to do.
Kenyans should not continue to die as we watch just because we want to implement the BBI report.
Joel Onyango, Kericho
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