Form team of experts to avoid reforms process being hijacked by politicians, Uhuru told

Former Bomet governor Isaac Ruto.

A section of Rift Valley leaders have asked President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga to urgently constitute a team of experts to fine tune the BBI report.

They said the team will prepare a platform for ordinary Kenyans to engage on the report to avoid politicians hijacking and driving the debate.

The team, led by former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, said President Kenyatta and Raila should task the committee to develop Bills necessary for actualisation of the BBI after taking into account fresh views from Kenyans.

“That the Bill or Bills be subjected to public scrutiny and ratification through the 47 County Assemblies,” said Ruto in a press conference in Nairobi yesterday.

The press conference was also attended by Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny, his Moiben counterpart Silas Tiren and Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos. The leaders said they will constitute a caucus chaired by Ruto to take the lead in ensuring their people understand the report.

“We want to ensure people read and discuss the BBI report and make their views known without any fear, political inclination or intimidation into silence,” said Ruto.

Kutuny said as leaders from Rift Valley, they had unwavering support for the BBI report and thanked the two leaders for the March 9, 2018 handshake that brought peace to the country following uncertainty after the divisive 2017 General Election.

“We throw our weight as a region fully behind the BBI report as it forms the basis and framework for Kenyans of all walks of life to engage and collectively be part of fixing the ills that afflict our country,” said Kutuny.

Tolgos appealed for sobriety and mature discussions devoid of emotions and hard feelings as the BBI enters the next phase.

“We want the process of engagement, following the release of the report, to be all inclusive so that every Kenyan voice is heard,” he said.

The leaders pushed for a popular initiative to ensure the next phase of BBI captures the collective aspirations of the people.

The leaders, seen as rebels of Deputy President William Ruto, asked the residents of Rift Valley to read and analyse the BBI report without any political bias or inclinations so as to arrive at objective and progressive proposals that will enrich the document.