Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) Party leader Raila Odinga has once again lauded the Bulding Bridges Intiative(BBI) saying that it means well for the country in the efforts to ensure peace and stability.
Odinga insisted that BBI report has the core task to build on the gains of the dying decade and thus take the country into new heights.
The ODM party leader said this in a speech delivered to ODM party members on the wave of Christmas and new year celebrations.
Odinga urged the party leadership to spread the message of unity on BBI across all the party’s supporters in the country during the festivities.
“Our main task here today is to put our leadership on the same page on the BBI and have you relay the same to our supporters across the country as we return to the people for Christmas and New Year celebrations.” He said
Odinga thanked the international community including the African Union, the US Government, the EU and the UK for their support towards the Initiative and for sharing the belief that it is a chance for a New Beginning for Kenya.
He furher insisted that BBI has not been pursued at the expense of the dreams of the ODM party adding that vthe country can not move forward if leaders put their interests ahead.
“Nations begin to die when parties and leaders begin to imagine that they are greater than the nation and that their personal and partisan ambitions should override the national goals.No party or leader can be greater than the nation. Our nations do not owe us anything. Instead, we owe a debt to our nations.” He said.
“ODM never stands or sits on the fence. We never sway with the wind from this side to that when the interests of the nation are at stake.” He further stated.
Odinga said BBI is a new chance for Kenyans to build an economic model to secure employment for its citizens especially the youth, protect Human Rights to counter systemic violations; end marginalization of regions and communities by taking more resources to the grassroots while holding leaders accountable for those resources and increasing cohesion in Kenya.
He urged all Kenyans to prepare to engage the BBI team that will be going around the country explaining the document with a view to having all shades of opinion captured. It will provide a chance to perfect further what we have.
“Let’s take this Second Chance as an opportunity to throw off a legacy of corruption; tribalism, divisions, dysfunctional institutions and mistrust that have held us back for over 50 years.” He said.
