The handshake deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga struck nearly two years ago threatens split the country and could open a battle ground for the 2022 succession race.
The duo are set to receive the much-awaited Building Bridges Initiative Report on Tuesday even as some lawmakers allied to Deputy President William Ruto warned they will reject the report if it proposes creation of more political positions.
A divided country would defeat the spirit of the political truce, whose purposed was national reconciliation, ending divisive politics witnessed every cycle and national cohesion.
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While President Kenyatta and Odinga appear supportive of the possible outcome of the report which was borne out of the March 2018 handshake on the steps of Harambee House, DP Ruto has sent indications that he is opposed to it.
Dr Ruto's position is informed by fears that the report could come up with recommendations that could radically alter the country’s power structure and hurt his presidential ambitions.
On Sunday, the DP said the discussions on the report would not derail the country’s development agenda.
He said the opinion of every single Kenyan would count if the BBI report is to be backed.
Ruto also advised Kenyans to ignore individuals using threats to support the report whose content has not yet been revealed.
“Every Kenyan would be given a chance to read and understand the report. That way, we would agree on how we would move forward together,” he said at a Thika church.
But MPs accompanying him warned they will reject the report if it proposes creation of more political seats as well as election of the President by Parliament.
The MPs included Thika Patrick Wainaina, Simon King’ara (Ruiru), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Jane Kihara (Naivasha), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Moses Nguchinye (Imenti Central), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu), Kago Wa Lydiah (Githunguri) and former Thika MP Alice Ng'ang'a.
Gachagua asked Odinga to stop threatening Kenyans who do not agree with him over the BBI.
He asked Odinga to emulate President Kenyatta who said every Kenyan will be given a chance to read and give their opinion on the report.
"We have realized that there are two reports, that of President Kenyatta of uniting Kenyans and that of Raila Odinga that threatens to sweep away those who oppose it like a tsunami,” said Gachagua.
“We also don’t need two centres of power. We need one president or one powerful prime minister,” said he noted.
“We agree there is a political problem in the country but the problem is that of selfish leaders who never concede defeats during elections. We want to see how the BBI will address this problem of not conceding defeat,” said Ichung’wa.
Kuria said that while Mr Kenyattta was keen to unite Kenyans, his handshake partners were not honest.
But Siaya Senator James Orengo warned that the BBI report will not only block Ruto from ascending to power in 2022, but also “finish him politically.”
Orengo said that by Ruto opposing the BBI, he has written his political obituary.
“It is true that Ruto is in government and enjoys the DP post but come 2022, he will be nowhere because the BBI that he opposes will finish him politically,” said Orengo in Siaya.
The senator indicated that the outcome of the BBI could help Raila clinch power.
The President has indicated that he will read the report for the first time when he and Raila receive it on Tuesday.
But Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Boss Shollei termed the BBI as illegal, saying that there are only two ways to change the Constitution: through parliament or popular initiative.
She noted that majority of Kenyans should have been consulted on the matter.
“Seven thousand people cannot represent the views of 48 million Kenyans. We will have to go through the report carefully before making a decision whether to accept it,” she added.
Emurua Dikir MP Joanna Ngengo, Bomet East MP Beatrice Kones and Kandara’s Alice Wahome said they will oppose the report if it proposes creation of new political seats
“Dynasties will not be clinging to the top seats while others are just stepping stones,” said Kones.
“Anybody who has been a president or a prime minister in this country should never contest any position created by the BBI,” said Ngeno.
Separately, MPs Patrick Mariru (Laikipa West) and Kubai Iringo (Igembe Central) said that President Kenyatta was committed to uniting Kenyans but accused Odinga of preaching division.
“We want to make it clear that we will only support BBI if its report seeks to solve the problems facing our coffee, dairy and tea farmers among others. But if it’s about creation of jobs for some few people, we will reject it,” said Mr Iringo.
Laikipia Women CatherineWaruguru asked those pushing for the adoption of the report to seek the support of Kenyans through consensus.
Kuria West MP Mathias Robi warned that the report will be rejected if it proposes creation of more political seats.
“We need for Kenyans to be free, live in peace for development and that is our hope in the report, any attempt to appease only two Kenyans will be rejected,” Robi said.
He asked President Kenyatta to back Ruto in the next election.
“After ten years as our president Kenyatta should prepare to go home. We have enjoyed working with him in pushing through development in Kenya. We only need to have fresh decade under Ruto as agreed in Jubilee Party,“ Robi said.
He said the report was a ploy to lock out Ruto from ascending to State House in 2022 General Election.
Elsewhere, ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru said the BBI will reshape how Kenya is governed for a prosperous future.
“I am not a politician but the handshake has ensured a peaceful country with many being able to do business…we want the peace to continue,” he said.
“I have been privy to many things in government and I was in private sector and I can assure you the country is in the right direction, more so, on the business front.”
The CS made the remarks when he officiated the annual CIO 100 awards at Lake Naivasha resort where several companies were awarded for outstanding work in the ICT sector.
