A majority of Deputy President William Ruto’s political allies kept away from social media Tuesday after the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Constitution Amendment Bill sailed through in at least 30 counties across the country.
Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata, Soy MP Caleb Kositany, Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki, South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro, Nyali MP Mohammed Ali, among others, as of the time of publishing this story, had not reacted to the development, which is uncharacteristic of the pro-Ruto team.
On matters of national interest which often draw controversy, the DP’s allies usually troop to social media platforms Facebook and Twitter to express their opinions.
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As of noon Tuesday, at least 28 county assemblies had already endorsed the BBI Bill, surpassing the required threshold of 24, and by 5pm, none of the above-mentioned leaders had taken to their pages to react publicly to the development, which is unlike the group.
However, a few of DP Ruto allies, including Senators Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho) and Millicent Omanga (Nominated) took to Twitter to express their reaction.
“The Huster Nation's position on BBI remains the same. It is not a priority. It is least of our concern what the system decides to do with it. Celebrate all you want. Eyes on the prize for us. Emancipation of the hustlers by all means,” said Senator Cheruiyot on Twitter at 4pm.
Former Majority Leader in the Senate, Kipchumba Murkomen, said: “Why are BBI promoters excited and overjoyed? When you are running on your own, how are you celebrating that you won?”
Millicent Omanga, on the other hand, posted a brief message, saying: “Following...”
DP Ruto, himself, hadn’t tweeted about the BBI developments, with his last tweet Tuesday being a condolence message to the family of Juja MP Francis Waititu, who died Monday evening while receiving treatment for cancer at the MP Shah Hospital in Nairobi.
For a while now, it has been believed that the pro-Ruto team has been against the BBI constitutional amendment changes, with the DP on the record suggesting that a multi-choice referendum should be adopted, the exercise be held alongside 2022 general election, the mode of adding women's seats in Parliament be changed from nomination to election and the number of new constituencies planned for addition be reduced.
By Tuesday evening, 31 regional Houses had passed the BBI Bill. The counties include: Trans Nzoia, Kisii, Kajiado, Nairobi, Taita Taveta, Murang’a, Bungoma, Nyeri, Mombasa, Siaya, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Busia, West Pokot, Laikipia, Samburu, Kakamega, Narok, Vihiga, Nyamira, Lamu, Nyandarua, Garissa, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Nakuru, Kirinyaga, Migori, Kiambu and Bomet.
