Deputy President William Ruto’s press conference had a lot for Kenyans to digest but one thing that stood out was his exchange with KTN reporter Duncan Khaemba.
As Ruto was concluding the Q&A session, Khaemba threw a last-minute request just as the leaders were preparing to leave.
Noticing their displeasure, he quickly made a joke to lighten their mood at the same time convincing the DP to give him a chance to speak.
“Bwana DP we have been patient in waiting and listening to the statement that has been read for one hour. I can see the leaders want to leave yet we are just seeking clarification so I don’t know what the hurry is. Since you are the host, maybe you are the host you can remain behind until we get it clear,” Khaemba said, amid laughs from the deputy president.
The reporter proceeded to pose two bold and weighty questions on whether the DP would oppose or support the BBI if his recommendations were not considered and sought clarification about the current referendum bills in Parliament and how they would affect the BBI.
“We are beating around the bush and to borrow the adage saying; we are circumlocuting. Yesterday we were given an update that over 2 million signatures had been collected and the window for signature collection is Friday, which means that the next stop is the verification. In the case there is no room for a consensus, are you for yes or no?” Khaemba asked.
Ruto strategically chose to use the question to showcase his charm and convincing skills.
Responding to what his next cause of action would be should the BBI task force shoot down his attempt at striking a deal, he stated that it was never too late to do the right thing.
The DP seemed to school the reporter by introducing the concept of what he termed as a ‘win-win’ situation that the journalist didn’t know about because according to Ruto, Kenyans had grown accustomed to being divided.
“There is another way of doing things, called win-win, and that is what we are trying to fashion. It is not customary, it is not usual and that’s why you have a problem with it. You are just used to yes and no,” Ruto explained.
The deputy president urged the BBI team to envision a multiple-choice referendum where instead of voting yes or no, Kenyans would have the opportunity to vote for or against individual aspects of the referendum bill.
“There are people who support us and they want a real choice to express themselves. There are issues they agree with and want to vote for but there are issues they don’t agree with and want to vote against.
“There is a real possibility for us to give them a chance to do that. Why do you Khaemba want us to deny them a chance and tell them to vote no or yes, why?” the DP asked as other leaders started chanting against the journalist repeating the word “Why?”.
In conclusion, the DP implored the journalist to help him get his new win-win way of doing things to the public instead of pitting differing opinions leaders against each other.
