Deputy President William Ruto is expressing his readiness for talks that will yield a non-contested BBI referendum.
The DP seems to have embraced a proposal by elders who visited him on Tuesday calling for talks with President Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga to agree on the constitutional reforms.
Led by President Uhurus cousin Kung’u, the elders visited the DP in a bid to break atruce for an all-inclusive approach ,to constitutional change ,a position that president Kenyatta is keen on
Kung’u who is the patron of the National Council of Elders was accompanied by chairman Phares Rutere and the Nationhood Principal Administrative Secretary Michael Ndung’u.
The elders urged Ruto to support the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report and aid Kenyatta in securing his legacy of uniting the country.
“Ruto is ready to engage with other leaders to strengthen the document, eliminate contentious issues, respect separation of powers and make it more focused on the issues about ordinary Kenyans,” DP’s spokesperson David Mugonyi stated.
Mr Muigai had first led the Kenya National Council of Elders to a meeting with Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi and later the group held talks with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
The elders have allegedly sought an appointment with the Head of State and are waiting for approval from State House.
They will also meet Odinga after he flies back from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Rutos concerns
During the BBI meeting at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi, the DP raised six issues that he disagreed with in the report including the proposal to have electoral commissioners nominated by political parties.
He also criticised the structure of the executive, the status of the Senate, the proposed formula to achieve the two-thirds gender rule, the creation of the office of the Judiciary ombudsman, and how to promote inclusion.
On Thursday, October 29, the DP hinted at meeting the two leaders but reiterated his stance on the nation holding an open dialogue.
“I want to ask leaders across Kenya not to engage in the divisive debate even if we fo to the referendum.
“It is possible we have a win-win referendum. There is no gain in dividing the country,” Ruto stated.
