Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho on Friday warned Deputy President William Ruto over alleged plans to scuttle the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) ambitions.
Speaking in Kisii during the first BBI consultative meeting, organised by Nyanza governors, Joho accused the DP of hypocritically supporting the BBI.
Joho claimed that Ruto was not honest in supporting the BBI report owing to his changing stand.
“I know for a fact that William Ruto and his allied leaders have organized themselves to try and embarrass the process of the BBI initiative.
“My message to them, let them come open as a man. Let them not say this in the morning and say otherwise in the evening. If it is about talking, we know, if it is about the ability, we have, if it is tough, let it be but we must be honest.
“I want to tell you that we will face you in whichever position you take until the BBI course becomes a reality,” said Joho.
The BBI meeting brought together various leaders including the ODM leader Raila Odinga, Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang’i (Interior), Eugene Wamalwa (Devolution), Governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Ann Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Charity Ngilu (Kitui), James Ongwae (Kisii), Anyang Nyong’o (Kisumu), John Nyagarama( ( Nyamira), Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay), Okoth Obado (Migori) among several MPs and Senators.
The leaders emphasised on the need to support the BBI course and made four resolutions based on four grounds including shared prosperity, devolution, corruption and divisive politics.
Besides, the leaders proposed a parliamentary approach on certain proposals while those requiring the popular initiative should lead to a referendum.
“We resolve those recommendations that require administrative action be addressed without delay, while those that require legislation be enacted in the Parliament in a bipartisan manner.
“Also, those that the required constitutional changes be effected through the popular initiative to safeguard them against self-serving political consideration and filibustering,” read a statement released by ODM party in its social media accounts.
The leaders also expressed their support for the Handshake deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and the ODM leader saying it had brought calmness into the country.
In his address, ODM leader hinted on the possibility of the country heading towards a referendum before June of 2020.
However, DP Ruto while speaking in Vihiga county slammed the meeting terming it unnecessary and a waste of resources.
Ruto said the BBI report had received massive support from across the political divide adding that the Kisii meeting was not needed.
A similar meeting is expected to be held in Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega County, on 17th January 2020.