This archive report was first published on 11 November 2019.
Uhuru's Rift in Mt Kenya: Waziri Exposes Deep Divisions Over BBI ¶
President Uhuru Kenyatta's planned visit to Murang'a County has been put on hold, amidst growing divisions within his Mt Kenya stronghold over the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
According to a senior government official, the rifts over BBI have exposed deep divisions within the region, with some leaders openly opposing the initiative.
Speaking to People Daily on November 11, the official revealed that intelligence reports had shown a significant divide among leaders in the region, with some supporting the BBI and others strongly opposing it.
"This is not a good time for the President to visit the region," the official said. "The Ngome ya Uhuru in Mt Kenya has been divided over BBI. The differences have become clear in Nyeri, Kiambu, and Murang'a. This is not a good time for the President to visit this region."
The official's comments come after a group of leaders from the region, including Kimani Ichung'wa, Susana Kihika, Rigathi Gachagua, and Ndindi Nyoro, publicly opposed the BBI, saying it had no benefits for ordinary citizens.
President Kenyatta had planned to visit Murang'a County on November 10, but his trip was cancelled at the last minute, leaving many wondering what had caused the sudden change of plans.
As the rifts over BBI continue to deepen, it remains to be seen whether the President will still visit the region in the near future.
