Mt. Kenya leaders met on Saturday, June 26 met in Gatanga Constituency in efforts to reunite the seemingly divided region and pick a spokesman.
Former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth was fronted as the Mt. Kenya region leader, with aims to reunite the community and present a united front to support the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
“The President’s intention is to unite not just Murang’a and her people but the entire country so that all people can speak in one language on matters that matter to the nation,” Education CAS Zack Kinuthia
He added that the President was being intentional, noting the reorganisation of the Senate and National Assembly, referring to the ongoing Jubilee purge.
“This continues to bring people together for the sake of the unity of our people as part of his legacy,” Kinuthia explained.
Divisions in the region played out during the first Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) rally when allies of Deputy President William Ruto and those supporting the handshake clashed in Meru County.
MPs allied to Dr Ruto led by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen said politicians should stop lying to Kenyans that the BBI report will solve Kenya’s economic challenges.
Murkomen stated that respecting the President comes hand in hand with respecting his deputy.
“We were elected so that we can help solve issues of members of the public. Money was allocated to do so, therefore stop lying to Kenyans that the BBI will solve the economic problems. If we want to have the BBI, we must first accept the truth that the people of Mt Kenya and the people of Kenya voted for President Uhuru Kenyatta. Let us stop this political conmanship,” he noted.
The final BBI report set to be revealed sometime next week has highlighted a number of major changes to the constitution.
However, there are reports that Uhuru and Raila camps are yet to agree on some areas. Experts appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga to the Building Bridges Initiative Committee have been unable to agree on a number of contentious issues as the deadline for the team’s work draws closer.
The restructuring of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the place of other constitutional commissions, granting Nairobi County a special status and the economic model for the country have generated heated debate within the committee and their team of experts.
The BBI team, now formally known as the Steering Committee on the Implementation of the Building Bridges to a United Kenya Task Force, had hoped to have the final report ready after its retreat two weeks ago.
Gatundu South Moses Kuria, on June 25 revealed the changes including plans to retain 290 constituencies in the country but include 162 nominated MPs from the current 12 to take care of highly populated constituencies.
The position of Prime Minister is set to be reintroduced but will be voted for by parliament and will appoint all other Ministers. The Prime Minister will have two Deputy Prime Ministers.
Kuria stated that 50% of Ministers will come from parliament with the rest set to be appointed outside parliament.
Another notable change is the abolishment of Nairobi County, something that may be underway with the formation of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) that has taken over key county functions.
