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The much awaited Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) rally slated for Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium on Saturday has been postponed in a tactical retreat by organisers aimed at easing mounting tensions. 

In a press statement, Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui said the rally will now be held on March 21 adding that the postponement had been necessitated by the need to “build consensus on the document and include local agenda.” 

He said more than 10 counties in the Rift Valley will participate in the event that is expected to shift the BBI debate into a higher gear especially considering the pivotal role that Nakuru plays in shaping politics and national agenda. 

“As the host county, we urge for tolerance and inclusion for the best interest of the Rift Valley residents.

In addition, sobriety and objectivity in tackling the key issues outlined in the BBI will be greatly encouraged,” said Kinyanjui in a statement calling off the rally.

But according to insiders and political pundits, events of the last few months tilted the scale in favour of postponement because the Tanga Tanga wing of Jubilee which supports Deputy President William Ruto has been spoiling for a fight.

“The March 21 BBI rally is the biggest political litmus test for Governor Kinyanjui so far. He is right at the middle of the storm between Tanga Tanga, Kieleweke and Team Baba adherents,” said political commentator Elijah Kinyanjui. 

Consultative meeting

As a result of the postponement of the Nakuru rally, Kericho governor Paul Chepkwony also announced the rescheduling of  the Kapkatet BBI consultative meeting that had been scheduled for tomorrow in Kericho.

“This follows the postponement of the BBI rally  which was to take place in Nakuru county this weekend to March 21.

The decision has been taken to allow for further consultations,” Chepkwony said in a brief statement.

The Deputy President who has openly criticised the manner in which BBI rallies are conducted, enjoys considerable support in the Rift Valley—the bedrock of his politics—and, of the 11 elected MPs in Nakuru, 10 of them support him.

Soy MP Caleb Kositany, a key ally of DP Ruto said that so far they had not been consulted on the BBI rally in Nakuru or the planned one in Eldoret later this month. “We’re only reading these things in the media,” he said. 

During last month’s retreat in Naivasha attended by over 170 MPs allied to  Ruto, all Nakuru MPs attended save for Samuel Arama (Nakuru West), Raymond Moi (Rongai) and David Gikaria (Nakuru East). 

Outspoken Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri and Senator Susan Kihika, who is Senate Majority Chief Whip, are the faces of Tanga Tanga in Nakuru County. 

Although they are seen as moderates MPs Martha Wangari (Gilgil), Jane Kihara (Naivasha), Joseph Tonui (Kuresoi South), Moses Cheboi (Kuresoi North),  Liza Chelule (Woman Rep) and Charity Kathambi and Nelson Gachobe (Subukia) support Ruto. 

Tolerance and inclusion 

These political realignments appear to have left Governor Kinyanjui, a supporter of BBI, isolated with the soft spoken county boss often deemed to be taking middle ground on politics and other divisive issues. 

It is a well calculated move that enabled him to rise politically in one of the country’s most multiethnic county where fiercely competing ethnic interests often come to the fore.

The dominant Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities call shots when it comes to politics and elections.

Yesterday, Kinyanjui called for tolerance and inclusion warning that those hell-bent on causing trouble will not be tolerated. 

He said: “We have learnt from previous BBI events, and the Nakuru rally is expected to be issue oriented and devoid of sideshows and character assassination. We shall be guided by the spirit of inclusivity and mutual respect for each other’s’ rights.”  

All national and local leaders are welcome and nobody should be made to feel a foreigner in any part of Kenya, he said, adding: “We must be reminded that the respect we accord to visiting leaders will be paid in similar measure when we visit their areas.”

Noting that Nakuru is the melting pot of all people and cultures of Kenya, Governor Kinyanjui said that matters outside the document will be considered as acts of unwarranted provocation adding that adequate security measures will be put in place.

Ngunjiri questioned the source of funds used to finance the ongoing rallies saying Kenyans should be allowed to make informed decisions without being swayed by money. 

The legislator wondered why organisers were ferrying people to attend these rallies.