ODM leader Raila Odinga has continued to bash Deputy President William Ruto for his wheelbarrow donations and opposition to the Building Bridges Initiative. 

Raila, who was speaking after receiving the 180-page BBI report together with President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Kisii State Lodge, faulted those opposing the initiative.

He rubbished Ruto’s initiatives that include donations of wheelbarrows, handcarts (mikokoteni) among others items to women and youth, saying that was not empowerment.

"Someone comes and says we need to talk about the common man, poor man, mkokoteni, driver and so on. But you have been there (in government) all this time. You did not drop from heaven like an angel. You’ve been around.”

“Is it the first time you have discovered about the mikokoteni people? The haves and have nots? If you're really concerned, why are you giving them wheelbarrows, why not give them your helicopter?" 


Raila argued that through the Building Bridges Initiative report process they were able to establish ailed the country and what was needed to address them.

The BBI report handover in Kisii was skipped by Ruto, who instead attended the burial in Uasin Gishu county of Huruma MCA Peter Chomba, who died from Covid-19.


Raila faulted those opposed to the BBI route saying the process of collecting views of Kenyans across the country and compiling the report was not an easy process.

"Some people can stand and say it is a waste of time and that we need to address issues of poverty, issues affecting the common man…how do you address them if you don’t know them? So, we want Kenyans to speak, and they spoke!”

He urged Kenyans to read the BBI report for themselves before making up their minds about it.

 

The BBI report will be officially launched on Monday at the Bomas of Kenya.