DP Ruto tells leaders not to use BBI report for intimidation

Deputy President William Ruto arrives at Embiloi Village in Kajiado County where he attended the funeral of the father to Nominated Senator Mary Seneta on Thursday. He appealed to Kenyans to carefully read the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) proposals before deciding whether to back it or not. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

Deputy President William Ruto has appealed to Kenyans to carefully read the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) proposals before deciding whether to back it or not.

Ruto also urged leaders to be cautious while discussing the BBI report and not to use the initiative to divide Kenyans.

He said Kenyans should be allowed to go through the documents and make their own decisions without being forced into it.

''I want to ask leaders across Kenya that we don't drive the country into a divisive engagement, even if we go to the referendum, let’s have a non-contested process. It’s possible we have a win-win referendum. There's no gain for anybody to drive us into a divided country," he said.

Speaking at Embiloi Village in Kajiado East, during the burial of the father to nominated senator Mary Seneta; the Deputy President said the change of Constitution should involve all Kenyans and not just a few.

"President Uhuru Kenyatta said clearly at Bomas of Kenya that we should look for a consensus that will bring the views of the majority together. I also say that if we eliminate selfish interest we will arrive at a consensus so that we can drive this process well,'' he said.

The Deputy President who was accompanied by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Kandara Member of Parliament Alice Wahome, and the Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko, added that it was wrong for some leaders to threaten Kenyans that the BBI report would be passed whether they liked it or not.

“Leaders should stop using threats and insults like telling the people that no one can stop reggae whether they like it or not,” said Dr Ruto.

Ruto asked leaders to be tolerant of each other saying they must respect and accommodate each other even when faced with differing ideas on issues.

“Let us accept that a good idea will give way to a better idea, that's how we are going to build a greater Kenya. We want a country that we can all walk together,” he said.

The same sentiment were echoed by Senator Murkomen who said no Kenyan is bigger than the other and all people should be treated equally.

''I'm warning those leaders who are saying that BBI must go through, they should let Kenyans go