DP Ruto and allies dismiss BBI proponents

Deputy President William Ruto during the commissioning of Suka Famers Cooperative Society in Subukia, Nakuru County.

Deputy President William Ruto and his allies have renewed their war against the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) with MPs close to him urging Kenyans to reject it.

In a thinly veiled attack on opposition leaders, Ruto said the push for a plebiscite will not derail the government from delivering on its pledges.

“Even if they shout at the top of their voice we shall not get off our truck. Our competition shall be based on development and not power. We shall not allow them to move us back to politics of hatred and ethnicity,” Ruto said.

The allies, who included Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika, MPs Kimani Ichung'wa (Kikuyu), Kuria Kimani (Molo),  Kinuthia Gachobe (Subukia) and David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East) had accompanied Ruto to three different functions in Nakuru County.

Speaking at All Saints Catholic Church in Subukia, Ms Kihika dismissed the proponents of BBI, saying it is meant to serve interests of a few individuals.

"The extent to which the BBI collected views does not warrant to claim the findings represent views of the country’s general public. They only held meetings in urban areas and with a predefined audience that favours its proponents," Kihika said.

Gikaria said the BBI was based on meeting interests of a few top politicians, adding that it does not encompass what the common mwananchi wants changed or introduced.

“I have not heard them ask Kenyans how they want development. It does not have the interests of lowly Kenyans at heart,” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Kuria, who said they would rally Kenyans against any plans to create more government positions. “We shall not change the country’s constitution to fit someone who wants a share of power in national leadership. Kenya is bigger than one individual,” Kuria said.

Ichung’wa said as Jubilee leaders they shall not back the BBI. “We shall focus on promises we made to the electorate. I shall be at the forefront in leading Kenyans to reject the referendum,” he said.