Deputy President William Ruto has reiterated his call for consensus on the recommendations of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report, saying it is possible to have an uncontested referendum.
Dr Ruto, who addressed a gathering at Kaiyaba village and Karatina town in Nyeri County, on Saturday, said this will be the case if leaders set aside their selfish interests.
He asked them not to use the BBI to divide Kenyans by forcing them to choose sides, saying they should instead accommodate divergent views.
“It is possible to arrive at a consensus if we eliminate selfish interests so that we can drive this process in a way that will unify the country and prevent unnecessary division. There is no gain for anybody in driving us into an us-versus-them or winners-versus-losers contest,” he said.
DP Ruto’s lieutenants, who accompanied him on the tour, asked those pushing for adoption of the recommendations to stop dismissing alternative views.
They claimed the BBI is a ploy to create political seats for some individuals without taking into account the interests of ordinary Kenyans.
Among the politicians were Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Kimani Ichung'wa (Kikuyu), Alice Wahome (Kandara) and Moses Kuria (Gatundu South).
Mr Gachagua said those pushing for adoption of the report should stop using threats and intimidations.
DP Ruto says only Kenyans can stop the BBI ‘reggae’
In Kagumo, Kirinyaga County, the DP reiterated that the majority of Kenyans are wallowing in abject poverty so their problems should be addressed first.
"Opposition leaders are only supporting proposals which will create Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister seats for them instead of thinking of how poverty can be eradicated so that Kenyans can live a better life," he said.
He stressed that he has no problem with the BBI but that it should address issues that will improve the people’s living standards.
“The BBI should guarantee returns for tea, coffee, wheat and maize farmers in order to be accepted," he said, and vowed to continue championing the rights of ‘hustlers’ across Kenya, whether the Opposition likes it or not.
"I used to hawk chicken in the streets and I know what it means to be poor. I will stand with the poor forever," he told the huge crowd that received him.
Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici echoed Dr Ruto’s sentiments and added that the BBI should ensure inclusivity to prevent a contested referendum.
On development, Dr Ruto said Sh800 million has been set aside to install electricity for 20,000 residents of Kirinyaga.
Further, he said the Sh20 billion Thiba dam, meant to increase rice production, will be completed next year.
Farmers in the giant Mwea Irrigation Scheme will then be able to produce enough rice for local consumption and have a surplus for export.
"We shall double rice production once this project is completed so we don't continue relying on imports to feed our people," he said.
The DP also promised students who join technical training institutes that they will each receive Sh30,000 bursary funds.
