DP Ruto on BBI: What are all these campaigns for?

DP Ruto on BBI: What are all these campaigns for?

Deputy President William Ruto has questioned the use of public resources for public barazas advocating for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

According to him, there is no need for the ongoing political mobilisation as no one is opposed to the BBI.

“What are all these campaigns for? Who do they want to persuade? Is it a way of misusing Government resources?” he posed.

“If there are those opposing BBI, let them not hide behind these campaigns…They should come out and say what they are opposed to,” the DP added.

He further said there was a reason for Kenyans to worry as BBI report copies had not been availed to them.

“Are there politicians who want to make a decision for Kenyans?” Dr. Ruto posed.

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) January 10, 2020

On the basis that no one had a problem with BBI, Dr Ruto argued that the report should be implemented and the resources being used channeled to productive activities that would better the lives of Kenyans.

“We want to bring an end to all these BBI issues and focus on the transformation of our country via the Big Four agenda and Vision 2030,” added Dr Ruto.

He said it was clear that some leaders were opposed to the BBI recommendations that were launched in Bomas because it did not take into consideration their selfish interests.

“It was made clear by the President that copies should be made available for the people to decide for themselves. When is it now that it is the leaders who are making decisions for the people?’ asked Dr Ruto.

He added: “Where do they find the money to campaign for a document that has no opposition?”

He told leaders to exercise honesty and sincerity on matters pertaining to BBI, instead of taking Kenyans in circles.

“How do you popularize a document that has no opposition? A document that has been embraced by all? We should be honest,” said Dr Ruto.

Leaders who had accompanied Dr. Ruto echoed his sentiments expressing their dismay over billions of shillings used for the BBI campaign.

Some of them opined that the funds could instead be used to build hospitals, schools and roads as well as buy maize from farmers and fund the judiciary.

Sirisia MP John Waluke even cited Chief Justice David Maraga when he said operations at the courts had ground to a halt because of lack of funds.

“We have been told there is no money for development projects yet billions of shillings is being used to popularize the activities of one man, ODM leader Raila Odinga ahead of 2022 elections through BBI,” argued Mr Waluke.

His Webuye West counterpart Dan Wanyama added that leaders from Western Kenya had requested the Government for Ksh. 1billion and Ksh. 2billion to revive Nzoia and Mumias sugar factories respectively but were yet to see any money.

“I am shocked today that money is being used on BBI issues that no one has objected. This is strange,” he said.

“We’ve not been given funds to revive the sugar factories but Ksh. 10 billion is being used on BBI that has no value to the lives of Kenyans,” Wanyama added.

According to Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, it is unfair for the Government to claim that there is no money for striking teachers and lecturers yet there are ready funds for BBI.

“We are being told there is no money for development projects and the ones to pay for striking lecturers but we have enough money for BBI popularization that no one has objected to. This is unfair,” he said.

Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga added that it is the responsibility of the government to print copies of the BBI for Kenyans to read and make their decisions.

“We are now told to go to Kakamega so that Raila Odinga reads the BBI documents for us. This is a shame,” he said.

Bungoma Woman Rep Catherine Wambilianga then claimed that money taxed from ‘mama mbogas’ is being used to fund BBI activities.

“As Ford-Kenya we are not attending the Kakamega meeting because the function is aimed at popularizing the presidential bid of Raila Odinga ahead of 2022 and has nothing to do with the BBI recommendations,” she said.

The leaders spoke on Friday in Emuhaya and Tongaren constituencies where they oversaw empowerment programs in Esibakala Primary School and Friends Secondary School Musembe, Tongaren.

Tags:

BBI raila ruto

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories