This archive report was first published on 13 December 2019.
Published on December 13, 2019
Leaders in Nakuru County are sharply divided on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report, with some backing President Uhuru Kenyatta's efforts to implement it.
Former Molo MP John Njenga Mungai has cautioned against attempts to hijack the BBI report, warning that such actions could exacerbate divisions in the country.
Mr. Mungai dismissed claims that President Kenyatta has been abandoned by the people of Mt. Kenya region for pushing the BBI as 'false claims.'
“Kenyans are with President Uhuru Kenyatta right from Nyanza, Western, Rift Valley, and Central Kenya, and all other regions, and are supporting his initiative to ensure BBI sails through,” said Mr. Mungai.
Speaking in Molo, Mr. Mungai emphasized that the BBI will help end political discrimination by allowing the winner of the presidential election to distribute appointments evenly among communities.
Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika, however, urged leaders to shift focus from the BBI and the 'handshake' to the country's development agenda.
“In 2020, let’s talk about development matters and how to improve the economy of this country and not BBI and handshake,” said Ms. Kihika.
She added: “The economy of this country is in bad shape, and we must change the conversation on how to put money into the pockets of Kenyans.”
Nakuru Woman Rep Elizabeth Chelule noted that, constitutionally, the BBI report should go through parliament for legislators to debate and provide direction to Kenyans.
