Raila: Uhuru will not change his mind on BBI, handshake

ODM leader Raila Odinga has brushed off the critics of his bromance with President Uhuru Kenyatta, reassuring delegates in Kisumu that his pact with the head of state is intact.

Raila said Uhuru will not change his mind and renege on sealing and implementing the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) to the very end.

While accusing BBI critics of peddling an empty narrative, Raila asked Kenyans to brace themselves for the soon-to-come referendum.

The former Prime Minister also seized the moment to reject the multiple-choice referendum proposed by the Ruto-led wing, saying the document should be voted for as a wholesome document.

He also claimed that BBI critics had hiked its projected cost, saying it would only cost a fraction of the said budget.

The ODM leader previously rubbished talk that the referendum would cost at least Ksh.14Billion.

While terming the estimate by the IEBC as outrageous, Raila said the budget should not be more than Ksh.2 billion for 20 million voters.

“The Ksh.14B the IEBC is talking about is not only outrageous but also a manifestation of the institution’s insensitivity to the changes Kenyans are crying for in the management of public affairs,” Raila said.

The ODM leader is currently in a tour of his backyard, to consolidate his base in line with his 2022 game plan.

He will be holding consultative meetings in Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya and Migori counties, meeting over 1,000 leaders, proffesionals, businessopeople and council of elders.

His meeting comes as the referendum talk hots up and counties across the country are raring to debate the report which needs to be passed by at least 24 out of 47 counties before it goes to the national assembly for approval.