Ruto cautions leaders against using BBI for personal gains
Deputy President William Ruto has cautioned leaders against using the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) to advance their personal agenda.
He said the initiative was started with the sole aim of uniting the country, noting that in any case, it would be incumbent upon Kenyans to decide it’s outcome.
Speaking the opening of Chepsirei Technical Training Institute (TTI) in Keiyo South, Elgeyo Marakwet county yesterday, Ruto asked leaders to desist from activities that could instill fear among peace-loving Kenyans.
“We are in a democratic society and the proposals by BBI will be subjected to an open national conversation where every voice will be heard. Those working hard to create new fault lines will not succeed,” he said.
The DP said it was wrong for some leaders to threaten others that ‘a tsunami’ through BBI was on the offing and that it would ‘sweep away’ some people. “Those spreading lies about BBI and telling us about tsunami that will sweep away some people should know that such a route is a slippery one and that we can’t go there,” Ruto said.
Present were MPs Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Margaret Kamar (Uasin-Gishu), Daniel Rono (Keiyo South), Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East), Jane Chebaibai (Women Rep, Elgeyo Marakwet) and Deputy Governor Wesley Rotich.
He told leaders to stop sideshows and focus on activities aimed at uniting the country instead of instilling fear, hatred and division.
“We should take the lead in preaching peace and unity among Kenyans so that we have a country that we can all be proud of,” said Ruto.
Murkomen criticised Opposition leader Raila Odinga of reading from a different script from that of the President on matters to do with BBI. “If the BBI is a good thing, then why are we being given lectures that it will pass whether we like it or not? If it is about the unity of Kenyans, then consultations should take centre stage and not threats,” said Murkomen.
“The President says BBI is about the unity of the country while others are telling us that it is about change of the Constitution whether we like it or not.” “But if they think change of Constitution will disadvantage some of us on matters of leadership, they should know that we are ahead of them. We are not fools,” said Murkomen.
The leaders also petitioned President Uhuru to reconsider the decision to scale down funding on Arror dam and cancellation of Kimwarer dam in the county.
-DPPS
