Deputy President Wiliam Ruto on Saturday warned of divisive politics as calls to rally the country behind the BBI course intensifies.
Speaking during an empowerment program of Thiru Secondary School, Laikipia West, Laikipia County, Ruto called on the ODM leader Raila Odinga and his supporter to tame hate speech and divisive politics.
“If you begin saying that people from this particular community are not entitled to leadership, you will also begin to say that they are not supposed to do business and thereafter you will continue to say that they are not supposed to live there. That is a shaky path and will lead this country into danger,” said Ruto.
During his address in Narok BBI rally, Raila said Kenyans were free to live any part of the country but urged those who are non-resident to respect the culture and way of life of those they found there.
The remarks come a few days after Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina made a statement that was deemed divisive and out of order during a Citizen TV talk show, JKL, by a section of leaders.
The remarks attracted czar criticisms from Mt Kenya leaders led by Gatundu MP Moses Kuria and his Nyeri Town counterpart Ngunjiri Wambugu.
“BBI allows us to know that there are people like Senator @ledamalekina who exist in national political leadership in Kenya; people who think that only Masais should live & get elected in Narok/Kajiado counties.
”These are the kind of guys who would lead and be involved in the forceful displacement of non-locals from areas they consider ‘theirs’ … if they were to get a chance,” said Wambugu.
Wambugu called on the need to have the nation united towards a common course that will bring unity and cohesiveness.
“Fortunately, BBI also allows us to tell them that this is a stupid idea in today’s Kenya, and to also flag & call them out before they get involved in crimes against humanity, against other Kenyans.
“But we must also watch people like this very carefully as well. And ensure that they never go anywhere near real power in Kenya. Or elsewhere,” he said.
Kuria who had also slammed Senator Ledama boycotted the Narok rally in protest against his remarks.
He called out on Governor Anne Waiguru and Murang’a Woman Representative for attending the meeting even after the senator, Kuria says, had sidelined the Kikuyu community.