President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday took an apparent swipe at his deputy, William Ruto who has gone on record in opposing constitutional reforms under the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
President Kenyatta started by saying that the BBI was not meant to extend his stay in office – promising that he would leave politics once his term expires in 2022.
He went on to criticize unnamed people whom he accused of spreading lies about the initiative crafted in the aftermath of the handshake with Odinga.
Kenyatta added that he was confident that, with Odinga’s help, he would pass the proposals recommended by the BBI.
“BBI is not about giving me a position. It is about ensuring there will be no bloodshed in this country. That process, with help from my brother Raila, I am sure will pass,” Kenyatta said while commissioning the Westlands-JKIA highway.
The statement appeared to target and his allied who have been on record in tarnishing the BBI. The DP and his allies skipped the President's function.
“Politicians have perfected the art of sitting in high-end hotels and offices to legislate for the people, but people have become cleverer now. Sometimes back they were talking about Punguza Mzigo while others now say BBI but from the rejection of Punguza Mzigo, the others should learn and keep off,” Ruto said in late September.
The DP’s allies have been more direct, saying the BBI was an illegitimate process meant to create positions for a few individuals.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has sensationally labeled BBI as the Beba Baba Initiative in reference to Odinga whom he claimed was the beneficiary of the constitutional reforms.
The remarks by President Kenyatta also came at a time when the BBI task force is completing its report.
Media reports indicate that the task force is keen on coming up with amendments that will facilitate expansion of the executive without triggering a referendum which would be costly and politically divisive.