I've been threatened over Mombasa BBI rally, says Murkomen

Senate Majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen has said that he has been threatened ahead of Saturday's BBI rally in Mombasa.

In a tweet just minutes past midnight on Thursday, Murkomen said he had been threatened with humiliation including being denied a seat, not being allowed to talk or being heckled if he gets the chance to talk.

"If that's what it takes to unite this county so be it and I am ready to absorb. Tukutane Mombasa (let's meet in Mombasa)," Murkomen wrote.

He did not disclose the source of the threats.

The Elgeyo Marakwet Senator said he had been given conditions to adhere to if he shows up at the Building Bridge Initiative meeting expected to be graced by ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Murkomen is among Tangatanga lawmakers allied to Deputy President William Ruto who had previously opposed the ongoing campaigns to rally Kenyans behind the BBI report.

They said the campaigns were a waste of public resources.

But on Tuesday, the lawmakers made an about-turn promising the join the BBI train and possibly take charge of the meetings.

Those allied to Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta, the proponents of the BBI, have cautiously welcomed the team.

Already, there have been two BBI meetings in Kissi and Kakamega counties that have taken the country by storm.

The planning team behind the Mombasa meeting led by Suna East MP Junet Mohammed had welcomed the Tangatanga team but urged them not to disturb the programme.

“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,” Junet said.

Nairobi senator Johnson Sakaja said the Tangatanga team 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," Sakaja said.

On Thursday, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka said he will be leading MPs, Senators and MCAs from his party to Mombasa for the BBI meeting.

"Musyoka will be accompanied by several MPs and MCAs, mainly from his Wiper party, who have also been drumming up support for the initiative in various parts of the country," a statement from Musyoka's spokesman Onesmus Kilonzo said.

Kalonzo did not attend the previous BBI meetings in Kisii and Kakamega due to commitments as Kenya’s Special Envoy to South Sudan.

On Thursday, Raila said the BBI train had left the station and there was no stopping it.

"I don't think there is any force that can stop this train from moving. It will move and we invite everybody else to join on board," Raila said after a meeting with senators from Central Kenya in Nairobi.

edited by peter obuya