African Union envoy Raila Odinga led a brigade of politicians to Kitui County for a BBI rally. Deputy President William Ruto's allies led by Kipchumba Murkomen attended the event, but it was all messy upon their arrival as Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria was almost kicked out of the event.
On Friday, January 31, Ruto's confidants at a press conference in Nairobi, announced that they had cancelled all parallel rallies and would help popularise the initiative. This was after Ruto was scolded by President Uhuru Kenyatta in a 5-hour State House meeting on Monday, January 27.
However, Kipchumba Murkomen and Kuria were denied a chance to speak as the event was dominated by Odinga, Kenyatta's and Gideon Moi's allies. This was despite the fact that Ruto allies had announced that they had cancelled all parallel rallies and would help popularise the initiative.
In this live blog, Kenyans.co.ke will keep you updated on the proceedings of the event.
3:38 pm." Kipchumba Murkomen and Moses Kuria are snubbed at the event as they were not given a chance to speak at the event.
3:21 pm.: Raila Odinga makes his remark at the Kitui BBI rally and was later given an award by Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu.
"The BBI will resolve issues around youth, unemployment and women leadership in Kenya. The train has left the station. It will go round traversing the nation and will return back to Nairobi (referring to BBI rallies)," Odinga stated.
2:50 pm.: Kalonzo lauds Kenyatta's efforts in fighting corruption.
"When you are found, don't run to Kenyatta as he declared a war on graft," Kalonzo stated.
2:45 pm.: COG chairman Wycliffe Oparanya reiterates the importance of BBI in creating unity and ushers in Kalonzo Musyoka, Wiper leader, to address the crowd.
Kalonzo issues an apology on behalf of Moses Wetangula and Musalia Mudavadi who were attending a funeral in Western Kenya. Gideon Moi was represented by Nick Salat. Kanu's secretary-general.
2:30 pm.: Francis Atwoli states that BBI will resolve worker's issues and that he has not forgotten the plight of workers.
"We said and let us not be afraid about this. Some people are saying that all that is in the BBI is just about creating positions. They keep on stating that BBI does not include the common mwananchi. But if the top leadership is not effective, then mwananchi will suffer," Atwoli added.
2:55 pm.: Kiambu Governor James Nyoro lauded Kenyatta's and Odinga's relationship, asserting that he was the first governor sworn-in under the handshake umbrella.
2:26 pm.: Kitui women leaders call for inclusivity of more women in leadership.
1:54 pm.: Kivutha Kibwana presents the Kamba community's proposals to BBI committee after the crowd voted for it.
Among the requests were that the government should review the National Strategic Food Reserve to include food from the region, especially ndengu (green grams.
They also supported the proposal to have the seat of the prime minister, and two deputy prime ministers.
1:52 pm.: The crowd urges the leaders to allow Kuria to return to the podium as the organisers calmed him down. Kuria was offered a seat.
1:44 pm.: Moses Kuria is thrown out of the podium and out of the event as some individuals roughed him up.
"Let him be thrown out of my event. He cannot bring violence at my event. No one can abuse President Uhuru Kenyatta and be allowed to grace my event," Ngilu stated.
1:43 pm.: Moses Kuria, Gatundu South MP, and Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen arrive at the venue and were cheered on by the crowd, interrupting Kivutha Kibwana's speech. There was a commotion as the organisers sought to issue them seats.
The crowd is rowdy as they want the two leaders to be given a seat. Ngilu calms the crowd down assuring them that all visitors will be given a place to seat.
1:40 pm.: Governors Ngilu and Kivutha Kibwana, Kitui and Makueni respectively address the crowd.
1:30 pm.: COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka arrive at the event.
12:15 pm.: Raila Odinga and Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya arrive in Kitui County for the BBI rally. Kisumu governor Anyang' Nyong'o and his Migori counterparts Okoth Obado (Migori) and Charity Ngilu (Kitui) also land in the venue.
12:00 pm.: Kiambu Governor James Nyoro lands in Kitui County. He was accompanied by Jubilee Nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura and Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat.
Nyoro was sworn in on Friday, January 31, after Waititu's impeachment was affirmed by the Senate.
11:25 am.: A bus ferrying 46 passengers who were headed for the BBI rally in Kitui plunges into River Waani.
11:00 am.: Reports surface that several parts of Machakos County had flooded. To get to Kitui, one has to pass through Machakos en route to Kitui.
09:00 am.: The crowd start streaming into the venue.
