The Deputy President William Ruto has this weekend camped in Nandi and Trans Nzoia counties after failing to stop the BBI reggae in the region. – By Gerald Gekara.
Nandi county joined Baringo county in shooting down the Constitution amendment bill. Since the events of the ‘super-tuesday’ vote, the deputy President has not made any public statements.
While opening a cancer treatment facility in the county DP Ruto said the BBI team indirectly referring to his boss President Uhuru Kenyatta, in intimidating and bribing their way to a constitutional moment.
“The writing of a constitution must be devoid of blackmail, intimidation and threats, because it is not just a solemn document, its a sacred duty of every Kenyan to participate in this exercise and everybody, irrespective of who they are, must be listened to, because this is their country, this is their document, and Kenya is a democratic country…we must respect one another,” Ruto said.
However, responding to comments that he will lead the No campaign, Ruto said he is not interested in contesting , but that of championing for democracy.
“Kuna wengine wanatarajia mimi nitaongoza mrengo huu au mrengo ule, mimi ni mtu ambaye anaaminia demokrasia…ile itaamuliwa na wakenya niko tayari kutumia…kama ni katiba ya sasa au katiba itakayokuja, niko tayari kuhakikisha ya kwamba the will of the people of Kenya must be respected,” he said.
On Saturday 27th, DP Ruto toured the Trans Nzoia county, which is among 43 counties that successfully debated and passed the Constitution amendment bill.
The massive crowds came up to welcome the deputy president, defying odds of the bill ever passing in his backyard.
Ruto urged supporters to stand with him in defending the constitution, and ensuring the rights of the common mwananchi are respected.
Will the People Pass the BBI Bill?
The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) has passed the county assembly stage and is expected to be tabled in parliament to subject it to a referrendum.
The anti-BBI campaign are however banking on the popular vote that will decide the fate of the constitution amendment.
The BBI Secretariat has planned a series of rallies to educate and convince Kenyans of the importance of the constitutional amendments.
