As the release of the anxiously awaited Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report beckons, Deputy President William Ruto has continued subtly expressing his disapproval of the President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga’s brainchild.
Although Ruto has not publicly asked the country to reject the report’s findings, he has not been shy in questioning the viability of the Initiative, and especially Odinga’s motives, which he says, are ill-meant and politically driven.
On Sunday, Ruto maintained his nonchalance towards the looming BBI report, saying it is not in his place to advocate for matters outside his mandate as Deputy President.
According to the deputy leader of the Jubilee Party, his constitutional job description is to help Uhuru push forward development-related matters.
“Mimi niliambiwa kazi yangu ni kusaidia Uhuru Kenyatta kusukuma maendeleo. Hio ndio kazi mimi najua (After being sworn in I was told that my job description entails assisting Uhuru Kenyatta to steer development in the country. That is the only mandate I recognize),” Ruto said while addressing the public after a church service in Kahawa West, Kiambu County.
He went ahead to punch jabs into the BBI, signalling his disregard for the entire undertaking.
“Hii ingine hii, ya BBI…(This other matter of BBI…)” Ruto sarcastically remarked, adding that like the rest of Kenyans, he is just waiting to read the issues highlighted in the controversial report.
He also noted that should the report not be in line with the expectations of Kenyans, the country will not hesitate to demand rectification of issues of concern.
“Kama ile maneno iko ndani ni kombokombo si tutanyorosha? (If the report contains contentious issues will we not correct them)?” he posed to an agreeing crowd.
"After we were sworn in with President Kenyatta at Kasarani Stadium, I was told my job is to help the President in development matters. But this other issue of BBI…," @WilliamsRuto's latest remarks on #BBIReport pic.twitter.com/icalgB2p2V
— Hussein Mohamed (@HusseinMohamedg) November 24, 2019
The BBI taskforce is expected to hand over its findings on pertinent issues such as corruption, ethnicity, and violent polls, among others, to the President and Odinga Tuesday.