While speaking at a funds drive in Vihiga sub-county on Sunday, September 29, Deputy President (DP) William Ruto lashed out at AU envoy Raila Odinga stating that it is not possible to change the constitution using shortcuts and means that do take into account the views of ordinary Kenyans.
The DP told Raila to use the flop of the Punguza Mzigo bill as a learning aid in his quest to change the constitution through the Building Bridges Initiative vehicle.
“People sitting in offices and in boardrooms and in big hotels who think they can change the constitution with the exclusion of ordinary people in Kenya must learn from the Punguza Mzigo initiative that it is no longer possible in the twenty-first century Kenya,” the DP stated.
Ruto declared that any change in the constitution must take into consideration the views of ordinary citizens and that the citizens should be fully included. The DP stated that Kenyans are now awake.
Claiming that Raila is using shortcuts in his quest to amend the constitution Ruto declared that Kenyans are awake and that he will make sure the voice of ordinary Kenyans is heard. “No shortcuts, no roundabouts, no corners, no mpango wa kando,” the DP added.
On Friday, September 27, Dr Ekuru Aukot of Third-way Alliance blamed Raila and President Kenyatta for the flop of his Punguza Mzigo initiative. Aukot accused the two leaders of rallying MCAs to make sure the bill does not see the light of day.
“Why would any MP, governor, senator and even president be opposed to more development money going to the villages?" Aukot posed.
While condoling with the family of ex-transport boss Hassan Ole Kamwaro, Raila rooted for the change of the constitution saying, “Some people are claiming that the referendum is for a few people to get positions. What we want is the oneness of Kenya.”
The AU envoy was speaking in reference to Ruto who had voiced his opposition to BBI while on a tour in Busia.
The DP donated ksh2 million to the residents of Vihiga. One million was donated towards the construction of a school and the other million to a church. He also promised the youth of Vihiga 20 motorcycles asking them to form a savings and credit society from where they will operate.
