Update: AU envoy Raila Odinga appealed to the leaders of various communities living in Maa counties to work together and exercise tolerance in order to make BBI process success. This came moments after politicians differed on sentiments made by Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot and his Narok counterpart on Citizen TV's JK Live.
"Given the cosmopolitan nature of the seven counties to be represented at this meeting, Odinga urges the coordinators of the two-day event to ensure participants reflect particularly the ethnic and occupational diversities of the counties to include ethnic minorities, herdsmen, farmers, women and the youth. Odinga assures the residents of the seven counties and their representatives that all efforts are being made to create room for all viewpoints, concerns and interests to be discussed openly and constructively in a way that leaves the regions feeling united and involved in the making of a new Kenya.
"He appeals to the counties to take full advantage of the opportunity presented by this meeting and the BBI process to soberly and jointly tackle the challenges that have been unique to them from the colonial era to date," a statement by ODM Party via Facebook, on Thursday, February 20, read.
After Odinga made the appeal, Kuria through Facebook, disclosed that he had cancelled his press briefing, which he was to hold to deliberate on sentiments made on the show.
"I note with relief and satisfaction the statement issued today Odinga clarifying that the Narok BBI rally is for all communities living within the Maa counties. This is a very emotive and delicate matter that requires due care, sobriety and wisdom. I will not be one to shout fire in this crowded theatre. As a result, I have cancelled the press conference I had called to address this issue. As for Senator Ledama Ole Kina, he was only speaking on behalf of his party leader Odinga, so since Odinga has seen the light and retreated, let us focus on other things. Tukutane Narok (Let us meet in Narok)," Kuria stated.
Eralier on , Kuria had claimed that the former premier chased non-Maasai MPs and MCAs from Maa Counties of Narok, Kajiado and Samburu from a preparatory meeting for the Narok BBI rally scheduled for Saturday, February 22.
On Wednesday, February 19, Kuria further poked holes at President Uhuru Kenyatta's relationship with Odinga, through the post on his Facebook page.
"I thought BBI is for inclusivity and uniting Kenyans. Dear Kenyatta. This is Raila Odinga for you. This leopard remains the same, has never changed a single spot. It was dangerous, it is dangerous and it will remain dangerous," Kuria warned the president.
ODM on Monday, February 17, indicated that Odinga convened a consultative meeting with leaders of the Maa community in a bid to have them forge a common front in the BBI discussions.
"The meeting was informed by concerns that divisions have over the years made the Maa community lose out in negotiations that have shaped Kenya. Leaders expressed concern that the Maa delegation was divided at the Lancaster Constitution Conference that gave way to independence, making some of their issues to be overlooked.
"The community was divided again at the Bomas of Kenya talks that gave birth to the 2010 Constitution, again making some of their issues overlooked. Odinga appealed to the Maa nation to unite, regardless of where they live and use the BBI to have their issues addressed comprehensively and holistically. Odinga said Kenya must change course, otherwise, it will be dealing with the current problems fifty years from now," ODM's post on Facebook read.
While on JK Live, Citizen TV, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot also claimed that Odinga chased the MPs as he differed with Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina.
"There is something that Ledama hasn't told you (Jeff Koinange) that they had a meeting and one of the things they did is that they sent out all the leaders from Kajiado and Narok who were non-Maa speaking. Seclusion is beginning right before the rally. The legislators were asked to walk out and held a press conference on Inooro TV," Cheruiyot stated
This was after Jeff Koinange aksed him whether Deputy President Wiliam Ruto allies would hold a parallel meeting to the BBI rally, an issue Cheruiyot played coy with.
Ledama, however, refuted the claims by Kuria and Cheruiyot, stating that only Maasai leaders had been invited.
"We never chased anyone. How can you chase someone you never invited. The people who were there were invited to speak Maasai issues and the people who can articulate on Maasai issues are Maasais. We never invited them. In the morning the non-Maasais held a meeting in Rongai, we held our meeting at Maasai Lodge.
"They were not there. The proposals that I am going to present to the BBI taskforce will be centred around the Maasai," Ledama argued.
While speaking with Kenyans.co.ke, Jubilee Nominated MP David Ole Sankok asserted that the BBI rally will be inclusive and Kenyans will speak with one voice and that the Narok rally will be used to discuss issues affecting various counties in the Maa region.
"We will as Maasai demand Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) report to be implemented fully. Nairobi was taken away from the Maasai therefore we want our land back to solve the historical land injustices. Nairobi residents must pay land rates to Narok, Kajiado and Samburu County governments," Sankok stated, adding that he met several leaders representing the disabled and they agreed to rally behind the BBI.
Video: Citizen TV
