Murkomen clashes with ODM leaders over BBI

ODM leader Raila Odinga (right), Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka (centre) and Senator Kipchumba Murkomen. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Deputy President William Ruto’s right-hand man Kipchumba Murkomen clashed with ODM leaders over the raging debate on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report.

Speaking at Waondo, Mbita in Homa Bay County yesterday, Mr Murkomen annoyed regional leaders when he claimed that President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga had a hidden agenda in the BBI drive, noting that it was high time they opened up to help end the tension building up over implementation of the report.

“If it is a powerful prime minister that you want, please tell us so that we consider and focus on other critical issues affecting Kenya,” he said as Raila and scores of ODM brigade listened.

But ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Senator James Orengo and his Kisii counterpart Sam Ongeri told him off, accusing him and his allies of politicising the BBI report.

“I want Murkomen to be sincere when he is mentioning the names of the two leaders. The document is from the people and its implementation must be decided by the people,” said Mr Sifuna.

Secret agenda

Mr Orengo said the BBI report contained weighty issues, noting some of which will have to be decided through a referendum, while some could be handled  through policy and legislation.

“The destiny of the document will be decided by the people but some can be refereed to Parliament. We must stop clouding it with cheap politics,” said  Orengo.

Murkomen claimed that extending the term of BBI task force was a clear demonstration that Raila and Uhuru had a secret agenda with the initiative.

But Raila chose not respond, noting the country was about to begin national dialogue on the report although he didn’t give timelines.