Ruto to BBI: Country not ready for another supremacy battle

Deputy President William Ruto has said the country is not ready to be put under another supremacy battle through a referendum that would only benefit a few individuals.

Speaking during a development tour of Kilifi County on Friday, Ruto said the country is focused on delivering the Big Four Agenda.

“We have a debt to Kenyans; that if making their lives better as promised in the Jubilee manifesto and the Big Four Agenda,” Ruto said.

The DP said he would endeavour to support President Uhuru Kenyatta as he seeks to transform Kenya.

He said a lasting legacy of the President is that of empowering Kenyans.

“We must, therefore, divorce ourselves from the politics of ethnicity and division and instead, embrace unity and development-focused leadership,” he said.

A section of leaders from Coast region present said they would oppose the review of the constitution if it would burden Kenyans.

Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa said the proposed change in the constitution was aimed at creating more seats for politicians.

 “We would not respond to a call that is for reviving the political fortunes of some leaders,” Jumwa said.

She said Kenya’s financial status would not allow it to fund the said constitutional review.

The Malindi lawmaker said Kenya had pressing issues where its resources can be channelled to such as the healthcare, infrastructure, education, agriculture and security.

Galole MP Said Haribae regretted that the country was being put into an electioneering mood, barely two years after the polls were held.

His sentiments were echoed by Jomvu MP Badi Twalib who said time had run out for politics.

“Ours is to work for the people as leaders. If there is the need for a change in the Constitution, then it is the people to decide,” Twalib said.

 He added, “We need to channel our energies to the needs of the people. We cannot afford to be engaging in baseless and perpetual political rivalry.” 

“We need to channel our energies to the needs of the people. We cannot afford to be engaging in baseless and perpetual political rivalry,” he said.

Other leaders present were Galole MP Said Haribae, Lunga Lunga MP Khatib Mwashetani, nominated Senator Christine Zawadi, Bura MP Ali Wario, Tana River Woman Representative Rehema Hassan Lamu East MP Shariff Athman, Jomvu MP Badi Twalib and Kaloleni MP Paul Katana.