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President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday evening met the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Taskforce at State House, Nairobi.

During their meeting, the President and Raila thanked the team for putting together the recently launched report and requested the Taskforce to continue leading the BBI process.

The Taskforce will therefore steer the next phase of the process which will largely involve expanding and guiding public participation, and structuring recommendations by Kenyans into implementable action plans.

However, this move has found itself on the wrong side with Kenyans who have taken to social media to express different reactions.

Many believe that this is another way of creating more per diems and budget as Kenya marks its 56th Jamhuri Day.

They have termed it as a waste of time and money.

Some argue that the president and Raila have some selfish interests which might leave Kenya divided.

Here are some of the reactions.

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Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s daughter Winnie Odinga has revealed that she is about to make a movie about his father.

This is after Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi released a book about Raila.

Taking to her social media account on Thursday afternoon, Winnie noted that everyone is now writing a book about his father.

She added that even Raila has written a book about himself as well, adding that other people have written more books about Raila as well.

“Everyone is writing a book about Raila. Raila has written a book about Raila. Raila has written another book about Raila. Others have written more books about Raila. I’m about to make a movie about Raila,” Winnie tweeted.

According to Mudavadi, the mending of fences between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga through the March 9, 2018 Handshake was the result pressure from Western powers that had embarked on a visa cancellation drive against key members of the National Super Alliance (Nasa) and their families.

In a tell-it-all memoir titled Musalia Mudavadi: Soaring Above The Storms of Passion, the former deputy prime minister and one-time vice-president also discloses that there was no unanimity in the move by Nasa, which had controversially lost the August 2017 presidential election to Jubilee’s Uhuru, to pull out of the repeat poll ordered for by the Supreme Court. 

 The court had annulled the results of the contest citing “irregularities and illegalities”.

 Mudavadi, an unsuccessful 2013 presidential candidate, will launch the autobiography ahead of Christmas in what is seen as a preamble to his second bid for State House in 2022.

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Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi in his new book has revealed that there was immense pressure from their supporters after 2007 polls for a parallel swearing in.

Mudavadi was Raila Odinga’s running mate by then.

“We were told that a judge of the High Court and a section of the military were willing and ready to come to Uhuru Park to swear in Raila Odinga as president. I never got to know the name of this judge or who in the military had been contacted,” Mudavadi reveals in Soaring Above the Storms of Passion.

Mudavadi further divulges that he was among those opposed to the swearing in because Kenya would have erupted in civil war.

“I brought in some prominent lawyers to persuade the radicals in ODM that this would be the wrong way to go. We were perched on a precipice. We were now on the verge of sinking the country into a civil bloodbath,” Mudavadi reveals.

Amidst demonstrations and violence across the country, then President Mwai Kibaki had been sworn in for a second term  by Chief Justice Evans Gicheru at State House Nairobi  in a hurriedly prepared ceremony at night.

This escalated the post-poll violence that eventually culminated in deaths of more than 1,300 people while hundreds of thousands others were internally displaced. 

The 417-page autobiography also lays bare tussles that characterised the transmission of election results at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre.

Mudavadi further discloses that he and Raila were shocked at the turn of events at KICC as suspicious results began trickling in especially from the Mt Kenya region.

“Our candidate and I watched everything from Pentagon House. William Ruto, Andrew Ligale, Henry Kosgey and Caroli Omondi were our main people at the KICC. We watched them engage Kivuitu as things degenerated very steadily,” the ANC supremo recounts.

As Mudavadi and Raila arrived at KICC, they encountered heavy police presence as then ruling Party of National Unity (PNU) representatives piled pressure on Electoral Commission of Kenya chairperson Samuel Kivuitu to announce the results.

“On the third day, we went up to the ECK offices at the KICC and found the commissioners ready to make the announcement in favour of Mwai Kibaki. There was high tension. Martha Karua of PNU was almost belligerently urging them to announce,” Mudavadi says.

As ODM, Mudavadi points out that the turn of events was not surprising considering the intrigues that had surrounded the pre-election period.

“There had been signs all along, especially in the last few days to the election. There had been talk of security people who were masquerading as PNU agents in many parts of the country,” Mudavadi writes.

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Cherengany Member of Parliament Joshua Kutuny has taken credits in most recommendations made in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report just hours after being handed to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The BBI’s task force led by Garissa senator Yussuf Haji handed over the report to the president and ODM party leader Raila Odinga at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday.

Present was Deputy President Dr William Ruto.

However, Kutuny says the report set to be made public today ( Wednesday) at Bomas of Kenya is similar to what he was pushing for in 2018.

He says the BBI task force borrowed on his proposal to come up with its report in regard to the creation of the post of Prime Minister and his deputies.

“On matters Building Bridges Initiative (BBi)- This was the proposal I was pushing in 2018 to amend the constitution of Kenya. I am glad BBI taskforce borrowed on my proposal to come up with it’s report in regard to the creation of the post of Prime Minister and his deputies,” he posted.

In the BBI report, the president remains Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief, while the PM will draw his powers from parliament and supervise execution of day-to-day government affairs.

The PM, under the proposals, will be the leader of the largest political party or coalition of parties, and will be appointed by the president and approved by the House.

“Within a set number of days following the summoning of parliament after an election, the President shall appoint as prime minister an elected member of the National Assembly from a political party having a majority of members in the National Assembly or, if no political party has a majority, one who appears to have the support of a majority of MPs,” the 14-member BBI team has recommended.

The report says that prime minister shall have supervision and execution of the day-to-day functions and affairs of the government.

He/She shall also be the Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly.

On the president’s tasking, the prime minister will chair Cabinet sub-committees. In the exercise of his authority, the prime minister shall perform or cause to be performed any matter or matters which the president directs to be done.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta received the BBI report on Tuesday afternoon from task force chairman Senator Yusuf Haji.

Present were Deputy President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The report recommends that the state should eliminate sitting allowances of public officers in both the national and the county governments.

MPs and MCAs have been accused of earning huge sitting allowances.

In July 2017, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission abolished MCAs’ mileage reimbursements, sitting allowances for plenary sessions and special responsibility perks.

But last year, the High Court reinstated the benefits, forcing the SRC to return the allowances .

“Strengthen the capacity of the Controller of Budget to enable to detect and respond in a timely manner to misappropriation , wastage and illegal process,” the task force said in the report to be launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta tomorrow (Wednesday) at Bomas of Kenya.

The task force which was constituted by Uhuru and ODM leader Raila Odinga following their handshake in March 2018 also calls for total enforcement of powers of SRC to rationalize all public sector salaries and to address the large discrepancies in remuneration.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta alongside Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday received the much anticipated Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report.

The report was handed over to duo at State House, Nairobi in presence of Deputy President William Ruto.

The report, among other issues recommends a President, with executive authority who will be directly elected by the people, with the loser in the State House contest directly nominated to Parliament and takes over as leader of official opposition.

On the structure of government, the BBI team recommends what it termed “a home grown and inclusive” system, that comprises an executive headed by a popularly and directly elected President, and a robust, structured opposition that holds the government to account.

This has seen a section of MPs allied to DP Ruto change tune, and publicly declare their support for the report after strongly criticizing it.

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa who has been a great critic is among Tanga tanga members who have publicly declared support for the report.

He says that the report has avoided divisive referendum and reckons that the issues raised can be prosecuted through the parliamentary process .

“Now the BBI Task force has avoided the divisive referendum and reckons that the issues raised can be prosecuted through the parliamentary process.I wish to declare my support for this report,” he tweeted.

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who has also been a strong critic of BBI said ” So far so good, Twende Kazi”.

The report will be made public to Kenyans tomorrow (Wednesday) during its official launch at Bomas of Kenya.

Kenyans will be allowed to read and understand it before making a decision.

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The much anticipated Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report was on Tuesday finally handed over to President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM party leader Raila Odinga.

Deputy President Dr William Ruto was present at Statehouse during the handover.

His dream to clinch the topmost seat in 2022 might come to pass, but what awaits him after the BBI report?

Well, the report recommends a President, with executive authority who will be directly elected by the people, with the loser in the State House contest directly nominated to Parliament and takes over as leader of official opposition.

On the structure of government, the BBI team recommends what it termed “a home grown and inclusive” system, that comprises an executive headed by a popularly and directly elected President, and a robust, structured opposition that holds the government to account.

The Executive, according to BBI, should include the President, a Deputy President, a Prime Minister, and Cabinet Ministers. The president shall have garnered at least 50% plus one vote in the State House race, and at least 25% of total votes cast in at least 24 counties.

The President, according to the report, shall remain Head of State and Government, and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces.

The Deputy President, according to BBI report, remains the President’s principal assistant, and running mate at the ballot.

The proposed Prime Minister in the BBI report shall be an elected member of the National Assembly. The President shall nominate a Prime Minister, whose appointment must be approved by the National Assembly.

The Prime Minister, according to the BBI report, shall control and supervise execution of day-to-day functions and affairs of the government. The Prime Minister shall also, be leader of government business in Parliament and chair of Cabinet Sub-committees.

The BBI report recommends Principal Secretary in the Prime Minister’s office, to chair the technical implementation committee that shall comprise all principal secretaries.

The report also proposes the return of Prime Minister’s time, where MPs can pose questions directly to the premier and cabinet ministers.

And in response to the ‘winner takes it all’ mantra that was cited as one of the key causes on bitterly contested elections, BBI has recommended that the loser in a presidential election be nominated to the National Assembly and takes over as leader of official opposition.

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Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report will be made public on Wednesday. 

The report will be handed over to President Uhuru Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga today (Tuesday).

The report will then be officially launched by the duo on Wednesday at Bomas of Kenya.

The BBI chairman Yusuf Haji on Friday said that the report will be presented to the duo on Tuesday.  

 Haji divulged that claims that the report had leaked to the general public were fake. He reiterated that the contents of the report had been kept top-secret. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday asked leaders not to engage in the sideshows in the name of the report. 

He reminded the leaders to avoid the politics of insults whether they support or oppose the report. He also warned them not to spread rumours before they know the contents of the report.

The head of state made the remarks when he presided over the fourth Kibabii University graduation ceremony in Bungoma County.

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Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has hinted at a possible referendum.

Raila says this will help fix the flaws in the new constitution and make it better for tomorrow and future generations.

He has urged Kenyans to prepare to give views to recommendations by Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) team their report is made public.

The orange party shared Raila’s message via Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.

“PL @RailaOdinga hints at a possible referendum to fix the flaws in the new current constitution and make it better for tomorrow and future generations. He told Kenyans to prepare to give views to recommendations by the BBI team once their report is made public,” tweeted ODM.

BBI is expected to present its report anytime from now to President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila.

The team was formed after President Kenyatta and Raila’s March 9, 2018 handshake.

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Activist Boniface Mwangi has been blasted by Kenyans on Twitter for dragging the names of ODM party leader Raila Odinga and Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho into Mombasa economic crisis.

Mwangi who was speaking during demonstrations organised by Haki Africa Human Rights group on Monday said that Raila and Joho are to blame for the crisis that has come as a result of SGR.

The activist cited that Mombasa residents voted for Raila and Joho heavily in 2017 but the two have remained mum on the crisis that is threatening to kill the economy of the region.

Mombasa residents have been demonstrating to protest against government’s move to let cargo from the coast be transported via SGR line, killing the economy of road transporters.

However, Kenyans have turned against Mwangi, accusing him of being petty. They argue that neither Joho nor Raila operate the SGR, nor are they in the national government.

They argue that Mwangi should blame the national government and leave Raila and Joho out of he discussions.

Here are some of the reactions.

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Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has found herself on the wrong side of a section of Kenyans, some of who appear displeased with her new-found political unity with Raila Odinga..

The governor’s political enemies not only organised press conferences where some women hurled unprintable words against her but also tried to show that she had failed in her mandate in Kirinyaga.

Waiguru, a key proponent of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), has also become a subject of a debate on Twitter under hashtag #SomeoneTellWaiguru.

The attacks followed a story that was published by People Daily on Wednesday about her new-found friendship with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, with whom she had a falling out with in 2015 when he literally forced her to resign from the Cabinet.

Raila almost single-handedly forced Waiguru to quit her position as the Devolution Cabinet Secretary because of his sustained onslaught on her over the loss of cash at the National Youth Service.

Governor Waiguru defended her relationship with Raila, saying that theya are both on the same side of a critical national agenda, the handshake and BBI.

“On our renewed relationship, you must remember that about a year ago, after the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, Raila Odinga and I had a meeting and agreed to let bygones be bygones. You noticed he even attended my wedding. Essentially, whatever animosity that was there in the past is buried (sic),” she said in an interview with People Daily.

Though she said it was early to talk about political alliances, Waiguru did not rule out future political plans with Raila, saying “we will see what our working together will produce in good time”

It’s this position that sparked an online war, with some of her sympathizers accusing Deputy William Ruto’s side of initiating the attacks.

Media personality Tony Gachoka twitted, “I honestly wonder how much money DP Ruto lost in Kibra, it’s hurting him too much. The hustler can’t stop tweeting about Baba @RailaOdinga yet this is an old story wah! Then attacking our main striker @AnneWaiguru by sponsoring the #SomeoneTellWaiguru

Francis Mtetezi said: “Since half of the Tanga Tanga women squad are pregnant, now they want Waiguru to follow suit, Waiguru is much more clever than all Tanga Tanga women combined. Imagine her rising to beat an Iron lady like Martha Karua in a landslide win, she is unstoppable #SomeoneTellWaiguru.”

Sialah said: “Waiguru taught me one thing, that in Kenyan politics, today one is your enemy tomorrow you’re best friends. It’s the same Raila that used to fight Waiguru so much over the NYS scandal even saying she should resign giving her all kinds of words #SomeoneTellWaiguru”.

But not all are on Waiguru’s side.

Wahome Wanyoike said: “#SomeoneTellWaiguru they used to call Mt Kenya voting machines… and we all ran back home. We don’t follow politicians they follow us”

Global Voice posted: Who’s advising Waiguru? She’s messing herself big time with succession politics. Mount Kenya is big for her (sic).”

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Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga will have a huge advantage against any candidate including Deputy President Dr William Ruto if he runs to be the president of Kenya in 2022, senior counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi has said.

Ahmednasir who has been representing DP Ruto in a case involving Weston Hotel says Raila will have the advantage against any other candidate because of his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The senior counsel further notes that executive powers bestowed upon Raila by President Kenyatta will earn the former premier another advantage.

According to him, Raila is a proud co-owner of the Jubilee party’s development record.

“Hon Raila will have a HUGE advantage against any candidate including DP Ruto if he runs to be PRESIDENT of Kenya in 2022.Because of the HANDSHAKE & the executive powers bestowed upon him by H.E Uhuru he is a PROUD co-owner of the UNENVIABLE/GLOWING record of JUBILEE,” tweeted Ahmednsir.

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Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party communication boss Philip Etale has fired his response to Deputy President Dr William Ruto following his demand for an apology from ODM party leader Raila Odinga and his party.

Ruto on Saturday demanded an apology following chaos which occurred during the just concluded Kibra parliamentary by-election.

The DP accused ODM of being behind the violence witnessed on Thursday and asked Raila to come out and apologise to all those who were attacked.

“As Kenyans we demand that Tinga/his party unconditionally, unequivocally and publicly renounce the culture of violence, chaos, terror and gangsterism their signature modus operandi as witnessed in Kibra and unreservedly apologise to victims past and present for their hurt and loss,” tweeted the DP.

On Sunday, Ruto said that President Uhuru Kenyatta with him had decided that post election violence that had become synonymous with elections since 1992 MUST come to an END and it did, urging Raila to “bring Odm’s primitive & retrogresive signature culture of violence/ chaos to an END& disband baba’s militia to show their commitment to handshake”.

“President Kenyatta & I decided that PEV that had become synonymous with elections since 1992 MUST come to an END and it did.Tinga MUST bring Odm’s primitive & retrogresive signature culture of violence/ chaos to an END& disband baba’s militia to show their commitment to handshake,” Ruto tweeted.

While responding to Ruto’s demand on Sunday, Etale reminded the DP of the 2007 post election violence.

The ODM director of communications said that the families and relatives of the victims of the KIAMBAA Tragedy in Eldoret are still waiting for a public apology from Ruto.

He notes that the hearts of the victims will only relax after receiving a public apology from Ruto.

“DP Ruto, on demanding for APOLOGY from the @TheODMparty Leadership, I want to remind you that the families and relatives of the victims of the KIAMBAA Tragedy in Eldoret are still waiting for a public apology from you. Their hearts will only relax after receiving that APOLOGY,” tweeted Etale.

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Deputy President Dr William Ruto’s demand for an apology from ODM party leader Raila Odinga seems to have gone wrong.

A section of leaders from Central Kenya have blasted the DP after he demanded for an apology from Raila , following chaos which occurred during the just concluded Kibra parliamentary by-election.

Taking to social media on Saturday, the DP accused ODM of being behind the violence witnessed on Thursday and asked Raila to come out and apologise to all those who were attacked.

“As Kenyans we demand that Tinga/his party unconditionally, unequivocally and publicly renounce the culture of violence, chaos, terror and gangsterism their signature modus operandi as witnessed in Kibra and unreservedly apologise to victims past and present for their hurt and loss,” Ruto tweeted.

The sentiments, however, did not go well with some leaders from Central Kenya who hit back at the DP saying he is the one who should apologise.

Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu revisited the 2007 post-election violence in the Rift Valley, saying Ruto should ask for forgiveness over the killing and displacement of people which occurred in his political backyard. 

“You most probably want to apologise for PEV in Rift Valley in 2007, before you point fingers at others, Sir,” he posted on facebook.

On his part, former Mukurwe-ini MP Kabando Wa Kabando said Ruto should apologise to President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila for allegedly insulting them. 

“Mr Deputy President, Sir: apologize unreservedly for your rants, insults, arrogance, divisiveness, disdain for your boss our President and fear of Agwambo (Raila). Vice Presidents (VPs) Jaramogi, Murumbi, Moi, Kibaki, Karanja, Saitoti, Mudavadi, Wamalwa, Awori, Kalonzo never stooped this low. Terrible. Sad,”Kabando said.

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Just a few months ago, Garissa women representative Hon Anab Subow Gure caused a stir on the internet when she vowed to name her unborn child after Deputy President Dr William Ruto.

The daring heavily pregnant lawmaker has once again stirred up the internet after a video of her hurling insults at ODM party leader Raila Odinga and his allies started doing rounds on social media.

In the video, Hon Subow starts by attacking Dagoreti North MP Simba Arati following the recent incident in Kibra where he allegedly meted violence on Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa.

Subow in the video says Simba Arati is satan.

“Simba Arati yeye ni shetani,” the MP is heard saying.

She then turns her focus on Suna East MP Hon Junet Mohamed, saying that he is a somali who has adopted Luo blood and culture.

She says Junet knows very well that it is against the somali culture for a man to assault a woman, an incident she says Junet has entertained, calling him ‘shetani’ as well.

The women rep then turns her focus on Raila, hurling all kind of insults at him.

“Kuna mzee anaitwa baba, sijui yeye ni baba ya nani. Mzee mzima na hata hajatairi. Tunataka 2022 aende Bondo, atairishwe, azeeke Bondo na akufie huko. Shetani yeye,” she is heard saying.

This has triggered reactions on social media, with a section of Kenyans condemning the MP’s utterances.

Watch the video below.

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Exiled lawyer Dr Miguna Miguna has issued his cry to ODM party leader Raila Odinga after court acquitted Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang of treason charges.

The High court on Wednesday acquitted TJ Kajwang of the charges saying the case against the lawmaker was politically instigated.

Mr Kajwang had been accused of illegally administering an unlawful oath to ODM party leader Raila Odinga on the 30th of January 2018 at Uhuru Park Nairobi.

Kajwang’ and Miguna Miguna were at the centre of events at Uhuru Park that culminated in the “swearing-in” of Mr Odinga as the ‘people’s president’.

During the ceremony, Mr Kajwang’ donned a lawyers’ robe and wig and received a thunderous welcome by Nasa supporters as Miguna Miguna played the commissioner of oaths role.

Miguna is now questioning Raila why he has also not been acquitted of the treason charges against him.

He further questions Raila why his Kenyan passport has not been returned to him, asking further why he has not been allowed into the country after being deported to Canada.

“How about me, The People’s Con-Man @RailaOdinga? Why have I not been allowed entry into the country so that I can deal with the treason charges against me? Why hasn’t my valid Kenyan passport been returned by your fake brother Despot Muigai Njee Meta Meta/Kenyatta? ” tweeted Miguna Miguna.

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