Gideon roots for BBI, Kanu in Isiolo

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi (third left), with Isiolo leaders, including Governor Mohamed Kuti, during a BBI rally in Isiolo town yesterday. [Joseph Kipsang, Standard]

The push for constitutional reforms yesterday intensified with Kanu chairman and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi meeting Isiolo residents.

The senator was also installed as a Borana elder by the Borana Council of Elders led by the chairperson Abdullahi Haji Bonjobe.

The installation happened a day after the senator was installed the Kalenjin elder and Rift Valley kingpin by the Talai clan elders on Friday.

The Kanu party chairperson was in the company of nominated senator Abshiro Halake, Baringo Woman Representative Gladwell Cheruiyot, Starehe Member of Parliament Charles Kanyi (Njagua), Laikipia Kanu chairperson Maina Njenga, Isiolo Members of County Assembly led by Speaker Hussein Roba.

Others included Kanu party Organising Secretary Abdulrahman Bafadhil and the party National Executive Committee. National Council of Elders chairperson Phares Rutere and National Treasurer Ahmed Set were also present.

Referendum comes

Gideon called on Kenyans to vote the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report when the referendum comes.

The senator said Isiolo and Kanu had a rich common history. “Vote for BBI when referendum comes. Isiolo cannot afford to be in the opposition. You must be in government,” Gideon said.

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi (center) receives a Camel gifted to him by elders during the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) sensitization Rally at Isiolo Town ,Isiolo county on January 23,2021. [Kipsang Joseph,Standard]

The senator said the document provides room to improve lives of the people. He said BBI provides for inclusivity and also champions unity of Kenyans regardless of race or social class. BBI, he added, also entrenches gender equality.

The senator said Kanu had started its journey and was walking with their friends, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi, Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula, ODM leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta. He said the agenda of all these parties was uniting Kenyans and make their lives better.

He called on the leaders to educate locals on what BBI has in store for them.

The senator said Isiolo MCAs led by the Speaker and Governor Mohammed Kuti had assured them of support for BBI when it comes up for referendum.

The party supporters were also assured that the party would follow up on its branch office whose land is at the centre of a row in court.

Governor Kuti said he would support BBI, adding that he was a Kanu party MP in 2002, representing Isiolo North.

“We are happy having joined the strongest team. You asking us to be in BBI then will get to Kanu party’s bedroom,” Governor Kuti said.

Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Hussein Halake Roba said there was need to establish a marketing board in the livestock sector.

Burat MCA Yarrow Hassan and his nominated counterpart Mumina Konso, both Jubilee members, said they were ready to join Kanu as it has remained steady.

Mumina said support for Kanu was still strong in the region, adding that Kanu had withstood the political wave.