ODM boss, Mudavadi pour cold water on Ruto’s new demands
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga yesterday gave the clearest hint that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) will not be stopped to accommodate fresh views by Deputy President William Ruto.
Minutes after Ruto’s address from his Karen home where he issued a list of fresh demands, Raila instead said the BBI team was nearing completion of the signature collection exercise in readiness for the next phase.
“I witnessed the ongoing signature collection exercise at Kangare town in Kigumo Constituency, Murang’a county.
It is full speed ahead as the drive draws near to a close as we ready ourselves for the next steps of the BBI process,” Raila posted on his twitter account.
At the same time, Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi likened Ruto to a leader taking his people in circles without providing them with an effective leadership.
Mudavadi, in a statement, said though calls by Ruto for consensus building on law change were logical, he is already time-barred.
“Even in the United Kingdom that has high literacy levels, during the referendum on whether to leave European Union or stay (Brexit), the choice was simply yes or no.
Similarly, Kenya’s 2010 Constitution was determined in a referendum that was simply a yes or no decision and not multiple questions,” Mudavadi said in a press statement.
While urging Ruto to take time and properly reflect on his next move, Mudavadi said the Depity President’s suggestion to conduct a multiple question referendum is unrealistic.
“Building consensus is key, but time is of essence. The BBI process has timelines that should be adhered to for the country to have a say and move on,” the ANC leader stated.
Yesterday, Ruto while addressing journalists after a four-hour meeting with more 146 MPs and other leaders allied to him, called for the postponement of the impending referendum to give way to consensus building.
“What is the hurry for? A door should not be shut for better ideas. We are pleased that some of our proposals have been accomodated but there is still more room for improvement on the bill,” Ruto told journalists.
Meanwhile, allies of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila dismissed the fresh demands by Ruto, saying they are too late and inconsequential.
Denis Waweru told People Daily they will deliberate on the issues before issuing a comprehensive statement.
On the other hand, Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary General Francis Atwoli compared Ruto to “a lost sheep that has become difficult to trace after it lost its tag and skin color. He should stop confusing Kenyans because he has completely lost direction.”
Nominated MP Maina Kamanda, one of the die-hard supporters of BBI said the DP and his allies are time-barred as the train has already left the station.
“We are not going back. Kenya is not about Ruto and his allies but all of us.
The man is confused on how he can openly support the document after he accepted most of its contents because he would be deemed by his supporters as a betrayer,” Kamanda claimed.
