Deputy President William Ruto’s assertions at the weekend that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) could be doomed has not gone down well with proponents of the drive.
A section of legislators and party leaders censured the Deputy President for comparing the BBI with the Punguza Mizigo Bill, which has encountered resistance in counties where it has been debated.
Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga, a key figure in the Embrace Team, said Ruto has taken his own path and is not with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“The Deputy President has now come out clear on the hypocrisy that he is supporting the President. He has charted his own path which the President is not part of,” she said.
Embrace Team, brings together elected women leaders who support the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition chief Raila Odinga, which gave birth to the BBI.
Wanga further said Ruto played a key role in ensuring the Punguza Mizigo Bill was passed in Uasin Gishu county. “Now that it is being rejected in other areas, he has come out to attack the BBI,” she added.
ODM nominated Senator Judith Pareno said she believes Ruto was behind the Punguza Mizigo Initiative.