Deputy President William Ruto has said that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) has negatively taken the top priority in the country at the expense of the Jubilee development agenda.
Responding to claims by the chairman of Council of Governors Wycliffe Oparanya that a report on the revival of sugarcane factories in Western Kenya has been shelved, Dr. Ruto said the government has sorely put BBI on the centre stage instead of the promised development programs.
Speaking 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 Mr. 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 Dr. Ruto.
The deputy President said issues of Nzoia and Mumias could have been addressed long ago were it not for the ‘urgency’ of BBI.
“The Big Four agenda that has been shelved, because more focus is now on BBI, was aimed at addressing key issues affecting Kenyans,” said Dr. 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 Dr Ruto.
Also present were Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka, Governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma), MPs Moses Mabonga ( Bumula), Wafula Wamunyinyi (Kanduyi), John Waluke (Sirisia), Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren), Catherine Wambilianga (Women Rep, Bungoma), Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East) Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo)and Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon).
Others were Malulu Injendi (Malava), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), Janet Nangabo (Women Rep, Trans Nzoia), Sakwa Bunyasi (Nambale), Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini), Alfred Agoi (Sabatia), Charles Gimose (Hamisi), Caleb Kositany (Soy), Caleb Hamisi (Saboti), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), Beatrice Adagala (Women Rep, Vihiga) and Geoffrey Otsosi (nominated).
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.
