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Ruto allies allege plot to have Head of State picked by Parliament

Monday, February 17th, 2020 00:00 | By
Embakasi North MP Mwangi Gakuya addresses faithful at Soul Harvesters Church in Dandora during a fundraiser presided over by Deputy President William Ruto. Photo/PD/ Kenna Claude

George Kebaso @Morarak

Deputy President William Ruto’s allies have claimed that there is an elaborate plan to have the next president elected by Members of Parliament.

The legislators, who accompanied Ruto to fundraisers in aid of two churches in Nairobi, accused the proponents of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) of being behind the plan.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria said the plan is to ensure the president is no longer popularly elected by the people.

“Those behind it plan to drop the ballot meant for the Head of State so that they can come to the National Assembly and bribe legislators to select the President,” Kuria said at the Soul Harvesters Church International in Dandora.

Kuria called on Kenyans to reject the BBI report if it comes with such an arrangement. He said such a system would disadvantage the Mt Kenya region.

But Ruto did not comment on the matter and only called for inclusivity in the BBI debate.

Selfish interest

“The BBI debate is not exclusive to certain people but it is for all Kenyans. No one will be allowed to dictate to Kenyans the direction and time the BBI engagements will take.

Those who are fond of the language of ‘whether you like it or not this will happen’ should take it elsewhere,” he said.

But his allies said they would reject the BBI task force report if it is used to secure selfish political interests.

MPs Alice Wahome (Kandara), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Beatrice Nkatha (Tharaka Nithi Women Rep), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Gitonga Murugaru (Tharaka) and Benjamin Gathiru aka Mejja Donk (Embakasi Central) vowed to reject any proposals in the BBI to create more positions or a third-tier of government.

“Before we create any political positions, let’s first get our youth employed. Let’s ensure our coffee, tea and milk farmers get the best prices for their produce,” Nyoro, a staunch supporter of the DP, said.

Gachagua said they would support the BBI proposals only if they cater for the interests of a majority of Kenyans. 

“If it is something that will only serve the interests of people who are salivating for positions and create opportunities for governors who are in their last term, we will reject it,” he said.

Wahome said President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto had brought Kenyans together when they formed Jubilee Alliance in 2013 and did not see the reason for another round of building bridges.

“We demand honesty in the process,” she said.

Gakuya said nothing would prevent Ruto’s allies from backing him in the 2022 election.

“We will not allow anybody to separate  Ruto and Uhuru,” he added.

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