NAIROBI—President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga have settled for Garissa Governor to drive the agenda of the Building Bridges Initiative( BBI) in Nothern Kenya, Kulan Post now understands.
The decision was reached on Monday after days of back-and-forth following senator Yussuf Haji’s refusal to lead the way citing conflict of interest. The Garissa senator is the chairman of the BBI Taskforce which was gazetted last week.
The Sunday Nation reported on the weekend that the BBI handlers initially wanted Haji to join pushing the “Handshake” agenda alongside Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka (Eastern), Mombasa County Governor Hassan Joho (Coast) and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi for the expansive Rift Valley region.
The hand-picking of the lead campaigners also coincides with heightened consultative forums and rallies across the country.
Sources told the paper that the Presidency wanted Aden Duale, the Garissa Township MP, to replace Haji but Raila objected citing his alliance with Ruto.
“I am nonetheless in support of the BBI and even consulted the Head of State on Friday on other matters, although he never mentioned this one to me,” Duale responded when the Sunday Nation reached him for comment.
However on Monday, Raila Odinga met with him and decided it was Governor Korane owing to his “good relations” with him and the fact that the next BBI regional meeting will be held in Garissa town.
The names that will drive the BBI campaign excludes Deputy President (DP) William Ruto and those allied to him.
