Raila and Ruto At Loggerheads Over BBI Drive

Tensions continue to run high between those allied to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga and those aligned with Deputy President Willam Ruto.

The issues stem from the respective politician’s position on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

Odinga has been a staunch supporter of the BBI, arguing that the proposal will move the country forward, however Ruto has vowed he will not back the initiative, which he views as merely a move to create more positions in the executive.

Ruto has dismissed the President’s BBI brainchild as nothing more than an attempt to create positions for his allies, not a genuine attempt to build national unity or support the war on corruption.

There are concerns that the BBI will merely create positions of power for a select group of communities. Talking on the issue Ruto noted; “Are we solving the issue of inclusion or are we entrenching and constitutionalising marginalisation and exclusion? We must be careful about what we do, not to entrench ethnicity, exclusion and marginalisation. Kenya belongs to all communities, to everybody,”

Echoing this Former sports CS Rashid Echesa faulted the BBI team, saying it was simply “about the rich coming together to distribute seats among themselves”.

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa said: “We will say no to an expanded executive and approve any proposal that will support Wanjiku.”