This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
Former Kangema MP Tirus Ngahu has launched a grassroots campaign for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) in Murang'a, despite backlash from some leaders.
Ngahu, who has teamed up with Murang'a County Jubilee Party leaders, is crisscrossing the region to drum up support for President Uhuru Kenyatta's BBI.
He likens his team to John the Baptist, saying they are preparing the way for the President in the Mt Kenya region.
Ngahu and his team met over 100 opinion leaders at a hotel in Kenol last week to discuss the way forward after the BBI taskforce hands over its report to President Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
"From where I sit, the country must have a constitutional review and this can be attested to by the proposals from various elected leaders and organisations to the BBI when they toured counties," Ngahu said.
Ngahu has received a backlash from a section of leaders who questioned his ability to drum up support for the BBI.
"These are people positioning themselves but they should be warned that failure to include the leaders, the BBI could suffer the same fate as Punguza Mizigo," said Stephen Habire Chege, a youth leader and a nominated MCA.
Ngahu dismissed his opponents, accusing them of trying to blackmail the State to be given money so that they can drum up support for the BBI.
"For those wondering whether we have the blessings of the main proponents of BBI, they should not concentrate on me but on the message. If they support the BBI, they should urge the electorate to support the taskforce's recommendations when they are out instead of waiting for a budget from the State," he said.
