A section of MPs allied to the Tanga Tanga group have vowed not to attend the Bomas release of the Building Bridges Initiate report on Wednesday.
“We will not attend because it does not add value. If we (members of the Pro-Ruto Tanga Tanga group) attend, it will be misconstrued that we are part of the initiative which is not the case. It’s their (Uhuru and Raila’s) baby. They conceived it, let them deliver it and bring it to us. Going to Bomas will be like going to midwife for them,” said Keiyo South MP Daniel Rono.
The BBI report has already elicited negative reactions among leaders, mostly in Rift Valley and Central Kenya.
Tanga Tanga group members, especially those drawn from Mt Kenya region, have vowed to hold parallel campaign against it unless the report addresses issues affecting tea, dairy and coffee sectors.
Those who have registered their reservations with the BBI report include MPs Jeremiah Kioni (Ndaragwa), Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Jayne Kihara (Naivasha), Patrick Wainaina (Thika Town), Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Gabriel Kago (Githunguri) and Alice Wahome (Kandara).
The long wait for the BBI report ends on Tuesday when President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga receive copies from the handshake team.
The report could radically change Kenya’s political landscape, with focus on backers of Deputy President William Ruto.
Other leaders whose reactions will be under microscopic scrutiny are Musalia Mudavadi (Amani National Congress), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper Democratic Movement), Moses Wetangula (Ford Kenya) and National Assembly’s Majority Leader Aden Duale.
But Duale also showed signs of supporting the report, saying the release is a significant event which is meant to support the President and Raila’s common agenda of ending divisive elections, negative ethnicity and ensure inclusion.
On Sunday, DP Ruto told Kenyans to ignore those using threats to support the report.
“Every Kenyan would be given a chance to read and understand the report. That way, we will agree on how we would move forward.
On Tuesday, three hashtags — #BBIReport, #BBIPeoplesReport and #Youth4BBI — were trending in Kenya ahead of the report’s release.
In summary, those pushing content using any of the three hashtags, seemed to call on Kenyans to look at the report with a critical eye and to avoid being used by politicians for the leaders’ personal aims.
Many of the social media users said they hope the report also addresses issues such as improving economic performance, equality and national cohesion.
