Embakasi East MP Babu Owino joined other ODM leader Raila Odinga and leaders at the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) rally at the William Ole Ntimama Stadium, Narok County, on Saturday, February 22. Babu is facing charges of attempted murder after reportedly shooting DJ Felix Orinda alias DJ Evolve at Nairobi’s B-Club on Friday, January 17.
In this live blog, Kenyans.co.ke will update you on the proceedings of the event.
3:25 p.m. Raila Odinga speaks at the BBI rally. He insisted that the BBI will uplift the economic sector in Kenya.
3:13 p.m. COTU secretary-general states that the land issue will be keenly considered.
2:57 p.m. Council of Governors chairperson Wycliffe Oparanya states that all proposals made in all BBI rallies should be considered.
2:45 p.m. Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru reiterates her support for BBI and how she declared her stance the moment the handshake was announced. She emphasised the importance of women empowerment in the proposal.
2:25 p.m. Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu lauds efforts made to ensure BBI was a success.
2:03 p.m. Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetangula reiterates his support for the BBI, recalling that Kenyans have been divided in the past years.
1:30 p.m. Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa reiterated that the constitution, upon being amended would solve all problems Kenyans face.
1:15 p.m. Senator James Orengo states that the constitution stipulates the availability of community land. He also took a swipe at Ruto.
1:05 p.m. Suna East MP Junet Mohamed lashed out at Deputy President William Ruto allies accusing them of failing to make proposals in the BBI initiative.
12:40 p.m. Kirinyaga and Kitui governors Anne Waiguru and Charity Ngilu heckle Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala who spoke against gender proposals made in the BBI.
"We support the BBI but a few days ago, the government sent us to Germany on a benchmarking trip. The Europeans informed us that we Africans have a problem and that we usually adhere to directives from them, directives that they do not adopt in their own countries.
"They stated that the gender issue is never legislated in a democratic society. You cannot force a man who wants to be a governor, to nominate a woman as a deputy. This is a democratic nation and everyone will compete on his own. You are not entering into a marriage," Wanjala stated.
12:10 p.m. Babu Owino speaks to the crowd after they urged the organisers allow him to address them.
"The BBI fever is greater than the coronavirus," Babu Owino wowed the crowd as they cheered him on.
12:07 p.m. ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford-Kenya's Moses Wetangula arrive at the venue.
11:55 a.m. Sports CS Amina Mohamed renames Narok Stadium to William Ole Ntimama stadium in remembrance of the late cabinet minister's contribution as had been promised by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
11:45 a.m. Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku praises President Uhuru Kenyatta and urges the government to protect Mau Forest. He also presented proposals for Maa community.
Ole Lenku named land historical injustices as the key proposal they wanted to be considered. The leaders presented the proposals to Raila Odinga and the BBI taskforce.
"We are talking about land resources like Amboseli, Magadi, and many others that are not in our hands and the community is not benefiting from the process. Our share needs to be put across. We want to let Kenyans know that in line with our National Anthem, our heritage and splendour has become the Maa culture for this country. Our culture is a resource that needs to be conserved, protected and harnessed for our economic empowerment," Ole Lenku stated.
11:07 a.m. Babu Owino arrives at the venue.
10:45 a.m. Raila Odinga and other leaders arrive at the meeting.
9:00 a.m. Sports CS Amina Mohamed and his environment counterpart Keriako Tobiko arrive at the event.
08:00 a.m. The crowd starts streaming into the venue.
ODM leader Raila Odinga led the rally which has been a subject of debate following the divisive sentiments sparked from a debate between Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina and his Kericho counterpart Aaron Cheruiyot.
On Friday, February 21, several legislators walked out of a delegates meeting in Narok on Friday, February 21, led by Narok Deputy Governor Evalyn Aruasa and Emurua Dikirr MP, Johana Ngeno over what they termed as ethnic profiling.
Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, on Friday night, February 21, alleged that the rally had been cancelled as the organisers saw it fit to shelve the meeting out of fears that it may be disrupted. ODM later clarified that the meeting would take place.
