Eight governors from Ruto backyard back law change

Eight out of the 14 governors in Deputy President William Ruto's Rift Valley home turf have vowed to marshal residents to support the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) signature collection drive.

This came after Dr Ruto took to social media to highlight major wins for his camp in the proposed amendments.

Further, a number of MPs allied to the DP including David Gikaria (Nakuru East), Martha Wangari (Gilgil), Charity Kathambi (Njoro) and Kimani Kuria (Molo) have endorsed the document.

Governors who have endorsed the document include Samuel Tunai (Narok) Joseph ole Lenku (Kajiado), Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru) Moses Lenolkulal (Samburu),Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet),John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot) ,Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia) and Laikipia's Ndiritu Muriithi.

"The BBI will address loopholes that have in the past allowed for injustices in the country,” stated Mr Gikaria.

Mr Kimani said he supports the proposed changes, observing that some of the contentious issues will be addressed in Parliament.  Ms Wangari said the proposals in the BBI are a win for women seeking leadership positions.

BBI signatures

But Nandi Governor Stephen Sang said he will not allow the collection of BBI signatures in the region.  And in Elgeyo Marakwet, Senator Kipchumba Murkomen said the referendum process will not succeed.

A source yesterday revealed that some of the leaders want to steer away from rubbing President Uhuru Kenyatta on the wrong side.

"We do not want confrontation with the party (Jubilee) boss,” said the source.

Jubilee Party wants all its elected leaders to back the referendum process. Governor Kinyanjui on Friday launched the signature collection drive in Nakuru Town, vowing to rally residents to support the exercise.

Mr Kinyanjui was accompanied by MPs Gikaria, Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West), Wangari, Kimani, county assembly Speaker Joel Kairu and a host of ward reps.

“I will lead other leaders to mobilise residents to support the exercise because the BBI proposals mean well for this country, "stated Governor Kinyanjui during the launch.

Referendum

Mr Tunai said the Maasai community is ready to participate in the collection of signatures. The Narok governor said he will mobilise resources to help in the translation of the BBI report to the local dialects —  Maasai, Samburu and Njemps.  – to make sure everyone in the counties reads and understands the document before it is subjected to a vote in the referendum next year.

Mr Tunai said the BBI is good because it will ensure the success of devolution due to provision of adequate resource to counties.

Narok East MP Lemanken Aramat, an ally of DP Ruto, is among the legislators in the region who are against the document.

Others include Gabriel ole Tongoyo (Narok West) and Narok Woman Rep Soipan Kudate.

Ms Kudate has vowed to mobilise women in the region to reject the document.

Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi has launched campaigns to popularise BBI in Narok, saying the party is ready to facilitate the collection of one million signatures in the region.

President Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga have appointed governors Lenku, Kinyanjui and Tolgos to lead the BBI agenda in the Rift Valley region.