Editor's Review

  • The big four agenda was meant to seal President Uhuru's legacy.
  • The DP claims focus has been put on the initiative rather than development. 

Deputy President William Ruto has appeared to take shots at President Uhuru Kenyatta over the Building Bridges Initiative.

Speaking on Saturday, Ruto stated that the BBI initiative by the Head of State has derailed the Jubilee big four agenda. 

He made the remarks at Nakhwana grounds in Bumula constituency, Bungoma County, during the funeral service of Maurice Mabonga Wanjala, father to MP Mwambu Mabonga, the Deputy President noted that BBI has slowed down the Jubilee development agenda.

“The BBI team that includes Oparanya came and told us that there is an emergency that needed to be sorted out. That’s why the Jubilee development agenda including implementation of the sugar revival program has been abandoned,” said Ruto.

This is after Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya who was in attendance stated that the government had shelved a report on sugar industry revival. 

The Deputy President said the Jubilee’s Big Four agenda- manufacturing, housing, food security, and access to healthcare were aimed at transforming the lives of Kenyans.

“The Big Four agenda that has been shelved, because more focus is now on BBI, was aimed at addressing key issues affecting Kenyans,” said Ruto.

He said it was time to change the economic trajectory of the country from only a few individuals and companies benefitting at the expense of millions of Kenyans.

“We are now in a situation where the economy trickles down but we want a bottom-up approach for our economy,” said Ruto.

On the BBI initiative, Ruto has remained cagey on whether he supports it fully or not.