This archive report was first published on 30 November 2019.
Clash Over BBI Report ¶
On Friday, November 29, 2019, leaders allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga clashed with those supporting Deputy President William Ruto over the Building Bridges Initiative report at two separate public events in Kirinyaga and Narok.
At the Kirinyaga event, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and his Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho led a delegation of national government officials, including 11 principal secretaries, eight regional commissioners, and 15 parastatal heads, in calling for a referendum on the report.
President Kenyatta's allies argued that the report should be subjected to a referendum, while Dr. Ruto's camp maintained that it should be taken to Parliament for debate and adoption or rejection.
At the Narok event, Dr. Ruto appeared to take a middle ground, stating that the report should be subjected to a referendum, but only 'if necessary.'
Dr. Ruto cautioned against an us-versus-them kind of debate, asking leaders to shun divisive politics and respect the rule of law.
However, in Kirinyaga, President Kenyatta's allies called for a referendum, with some leaders accusing Dr. Kibicho of frustrating them and telling them to keep off the Interior ministry.
Dr. Matiang'i hit back at politicians, accusing Dr. Kibicho of frustrating them and telling them to keep off the Interior ministry.
Dr. Ruto's allies in Narok trashed the referendum call, with Nyandarua woman rep Faith Gitau saying that the BBI is good and they support it 100 per cent, but a referendum is not necessary.
