Allies of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga have cautiously welcomed DP William Ruto’s troops to the BBI rallies.
A section of leaders who spoke yesterday said the Tangatanga faction are free to attend any of the meetings, including the Saturday rally in Mombasa, but warned against disrespect and any attempt to disrupt the meetings.
There have been fears of a possible clash between the two groups who do not see eye-to-eye. However, police yesterday said there should be no cause for alarm as police will be deployed accordingly to protect those who will be in attendance.
“There will be no problem at all. There will be enough security for those attending,” Coast Regional Police Commander Rashid Yakub told the Star.
The first warning to the Ruto axis first came from Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja and Kieni MP Kanini Kega who held a joint press conference at Parliament.
“We are welcoming them but they must come with decorum. Whoever wants to come, must come with clean hands. But if they are coming to attempt in any way to undermine that meeting or create chaos, we are prepared for them,” warned Junet, a close Raila ally.
Sakaja said the Ruto wing should not come to the meeting with their conditions. "We have to thank them for seeing the light and choosing to join Kenyans in pursuit of peace in the country," he stated.
Fiery Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, a key Raila ally at the Coast and who will host the rally, yesterday struck a conciliatory tone.
"In Mombasa, everybody is welcome. We are happy they have decided to come to Mombasa,” he said.
The governor said there are no preconditions for attending the rally and that all Kenyans are welcome. "We are having a national conversation where everybody has an opinion... Anyone is welcome to contribute as long as it is meaningful.”
Joho spoke in his office after a meeting with Mombasa MPs, including Abdulswamad Nassir (Mvita), Omar Mwinyi (Changamwe), Mishi Mboko (Likoni), Ali Mbogo (Kisauni) and Asha Hussein. Deputy Governor William Kingi was also present.
Joho announced that they will meet as delegates from the Coast region on Friday to come up with a decision and a common stand before presenting the resolutions on Saturday.
But Tiaty MP William Kamket (Kanu), a key ally of Kanu chairman Gideon Moi, said the Ruto axis should not be allowed anywhere next to the BBI meetings.
“To President Uhuru Kenyatta and Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga and company, do not allow the person who wanted to kill the baby (BBI) in the womb to get anywhere near the infant baby. Because he’ll definitely kill it,” the MP said.
There were reports that Ruto's team was yesterday printing copies of the BBI document to be distributed to Wananchi in Mombasa on Saturday and other areas.
“We have agreed that we will have as many BBI reports as possible so all Kenyans can read for themselves and understand the report,” said Kimilili MP Didmas Barasa, a Ruto ally.
Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa told the Star that she will be attending the Mombasa meeting to air the views of her people regarding the BBI report.
“I’am a leader from Coast and this BBI is about all Kenyans. The President has said we debate and review the report and that is exactly what we will be doing,” she said.
The BBI rally will be in the famous Tononoka Grounds and not Mama Ngina Waterfront Park as earlier envisaged. Earlier, Mombasa political activist Zamzam Mohamed had warned against attempts to disrupt the rally.
“We laud the move by Murkomen. We hope they will attend the rally with an open mind and not with some hidden agenda of seeking political mileage,” he said.
