Kanu defends BBI campaigns amid succession claims

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi when he was hosted by Embu Governor Martin Wambora to talk to residents about BBI at Talents Academy on on December 3, 2020. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Kanu has defended its nationwide campaigns in support of constitutional changes proposed in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report.

Lawyer Gordon Ogolla, who is a member of the party's Executive Council, said their push to popularise BBI's proposed amendments to the Constitution should not be mistaken for 2022 election campaigns.

Ogolla, who spoke in Nakuru yesterday, said Kanu has defended its vigorous campaigns in support of the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2020, saying people should not mistake it for the 2022 presidential succession contest.

In a statement released in Nakuru by Ogolla, Kanu explained that the decision by its national chairman Gideon Moi to tour the country and push for the referendum has nothing to do with President Uhuru Kenyatta's succession.

Ogolla said the recent political activities undertaken by the party should not be misconstrued to mean that Senator Gideon has begun early presidential campaigns.

"A lot of people are questioning our series of meetings that have taken place in Kilgoris, Migori, Baringo, Embu, Bomet, and Eldoret. We only have one mission at the moment, to popularise BBI and the contents of the Bill; nothing more, nothing less," the lawyer said.

The party under the leadership of Gideon has intensified political activities that have seen the national chairman meet grassroots leaders, members, and supporters as he spearheads the BBI agenda.

The senator has been hosting delegations at his Kabarak home besides the tours in an effort to revamp the independence party, grow its membership and prepare for the 2022 General Election.

Gideon is yet to declare his presidential ambitions, but his close allies have been urging him to go for the presidency in 2022.

On Monday, Ogolla told the press in Nakuru that Kanu was in the process of revamping the party and that its chairperson was meeting the members and friends across the country to have a discussion about its future. He said the party was also sensitising locals on the contents of BBI and the need to support it.

“As a party, we are fully behind BBI and all we want now is to help Kenyans understand its contents," he added.