• Kuria warned that there was group misleading the President that some leaders were against the BBI report.
Image: FILE
A section of Jubilee leaders have dismissed claims that they are opposed to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report.
They said they were ready to implement the report in Parliament, or through the referendum if need be.
They spoke on Friday in Maragua, Murang'a County, during a women's empowerment drive that was presided over by Deputy President William Ruto.
The leaders were MPs Mary Waithira (Maragua), Alice Wahome (Kandara), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Jonah Mburu (Lari) and Kwenya Thuku (Kinangop).Others were Aisha Jumwa (Malindi), Sabina Chege (Woman Rep, Murang’a) and Murang’a Senator Irungu Kangata.
Ruto urged leaders to tone down competitive and divisive BBI politics, saying there was no cause for alarm.He said there were constitutional bodies that would address any shortcomings that may arise in the implementation of the report.
“If there is any problem, there is Parliament to pass laws, there are also commissions and if a referendum will be required, there are people,” he said.He assured Kenyans that nothing would go wrong on the report “under the leadership of President Uhuru Kenyatta”.
Kuria warned that there was group misleading the President that some leaders were against the BBI report.
The Gatundu South MP alleged that even though he had wished that the proposed referendum budget be directed to productive sectors of the economy, he was fully behind the implementation of the report.“Let them bring it (the report) even next week, we will support it.
"On his part, Gachagua said they were ready to pass the BBI report as soon as possible so that they can go back to serving the people. He said they had already wasted over a year discussing the BBI report and it was time to focus on the needs of the people. His sentiments were backed by Wahome, who noted that the Members of Parliament were ready to pay their role should the report be taken to the House.
“Whatever section will require a referendum Kenyans are ready,” she observed. Her Maragua counterpart said the only thing they were opposed to in the report is the formation of a committee of experts to amend it.The MPs called on those in charge to ensure copies of the BBI report are made available to citizens across the country.They said most Kenyans had not seen the report days after its launch at the Bomas of Kenya.
Nyoro said Kenyans would want to read the report for themselves to find out if their interests were represented.“Not everyone can access it online,” explained Chege, adding that by building new bridges, old ones should not be destroyed.At the same time, the leaders said they would not abandon the Deputy President because “he has been a good friend to the region”.
Kuria said no amount of propaganda would prompt them to abandon Ruto.“I want to ask everyone in Kenya: why is it that Ruto has become evil overnight?" The Muranga Woman Representative reiterated her support for the Government, led by President Kenyatta and his deputy Ruto.
Kangata said there was no reason to oppose Dr Ruto, saying he had helped him lobby for development projects in the region. “I cannot forget what the Deputy President has done for the people of Muranga.
"Meanwhile, Ruto asked the leaders to focus on addressing the needs of the people.“We are going to ensure that we tackle any challenge that affects our farmers and young people and think of the transformation that will bring everyone on board."