This archive report was first published on 25 November 2019.
Deputy President William Ruto's allies have accused the organizers of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) launch of locking them out of the event.
According to Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, only legislators allied to Jubilee's 'Kieleweke' faction were tasked with compiling a list of people to receive the BBI report.
On Monday, Senator Cheruiyot took to Twitter to express his dissatisfaction over the manner in which Tangatanga leaders have been 'isolated.'
He tweeted, 'I want to take my President for his word and believe BBI is about a new Kenya for all of us, but the actions of his office (office of president) contradicts him. Take for example only Kieleweke MPs have been asked to do a list of supporters to come and receive BBI report, the rest wajipange.'
Senator Cheruiyot's sentiments were echoed by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who claimed that the planning of the exercise was an apparent move to lock Dr Ruto's supporters out of the exercise.
Senator Cherargei stated, 'I can't attend such a kangaroo meeting, we know the process that must be followed to amend the Constitution.'
On the other hand, Murang'a Senator Irungu Kang'ata admitted that some leaders were not involved in the planning of the exercise.
He said, 'Some leaders are clearly hostile to our cause. Some are saying the notice is too short while others have said they can only be invited to the meeting by the party leadership.'
Senator Kang'ata added, 'As long as the President will be at the Bomas of Kenya, they should come, we want to build a united Kenya.'
Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association chairperson Wangui Ngirici also expressed her dissatisfaction with the planning of the event.
She claimed that some leaders had been allowed to take a few supporters to the event, while others were told to go alone or not invited at all.
Ms Ngirichi stated, 'There is no equity in the invitation of leaders. Those allied to DP Ruto have been invited to the event alone while others have been allowed to attend the event with five supporters.'
The BBI launch is scheduled to take place at the Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi, on Tuesday.
