Mt Kenya East leaders support Uhuru and Raila pact

Mt Kenya East leaders have rallied the region to fully support President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition boss Raila Odinga’s Building Bridges Initiative.

Governors Kiraitu Murungi, Anne Waiguru, Nyaga Wambora and Muthomi Njuki and Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya told the crowd at Kinoru Stadium yesterday that President Kenyatta had already shown the way Kenyans should go, and said the region will support Raila to ensure they reach ‘Canaan’.

Kiraitu told the people he had been sent by the president to tell Raila that he (president) had cleared the (River Jordan) of the crocodiles that the opposition leader had said prevented him from taking Kenyans to the Promised Land.

Agriculture CS Munya said the BBI is meant to uproot corruption, which had robbed Kenyans of resources to sustain livelihoods. “They (Uhuru and Raila) have made a brave decision to unite us, as Kenyans.

Political propaganda

BBI is not aimed at helping anyone get a seat. Those who are saying otherwise are peddling propaganda,” Munya said.

Addressing Raila Munya said: “Mt Kenya (people) have no problem with you. You are a hero, and we know your father. We know Uhuru and his father. Unite us and take us forward.”

Waiguru said two seats should be reserved for women at the Executive, adding that women have capacity to deliberate and execute on national agenda.

Waiguru, who was greeted by chants of “deputy president, deputy president” when she made her entry escorted by traditional dancers, advocated for reduction of seats at bottom and expansion at the top for inclusivity.

Meru Senator Mithika Linturi asked Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho to reduce tax on miraa, in the “spirit of BBI”, while Meru Woman representative Kawira Mwangaza reminded leaders to ensure that “even as they build bridges, they should not destroy those we have already built”. 

Governor Wambora of Embu said the BBI’s focus was economic development and not politics, explaining that the region heavily depended on agriculture.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua said amending the Constitution as proposed through the BBI showed Kenya had matured in terms of democratic advancement.

MPs Rahim Dawood (North Imenti) and Kathuri Murungi (South Imenti) said they support the BBI as it will ensure resources trickle down to the grassroots.