Former presidential candidate Prof James Ole Kiyiapi has found himself on the receiving end after he backed remarks by ODM leader Raila Odinga on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
Speaking in Malindi on Saturday, Raila told off politicians opposing the BBI report saying they were unrealistic for rejecting a document whose contents are yet to be made public.
"Surprisingly, there are some leaders who have started to oppose the BBI but do not know what they are opposing because the report has not yet been submitted. I urge Kenyans to stay calm until the report is ready," the former Prime Minister said as quoted by Nation.
Reacting to the remarks, Kiyiapi said he was in agreement with Raila and asked politicians to stop misleading Kenyans by spreading rumours about the BBI.
"I strongly support sentiments by Raila Odinga on BBI. The political class should not lash out at process based on rumours and rumours of rumours. The report will be out soon, and all of us will have a chance to debate it and even take positions. Before then, hold your horses!" Kiyiapi posted.
However, Kiyiapi's remarks did not augur well with outspoken lawyer Miguna Miguna who accused the former presidential candidate of being naive for backing Raila, who he alleged was aware of contents of the BBI report.
"Why has Raila Odinga been roaming around funerals campaigning for something that has not been published? Professor: Stop being naive. The contents of the BBI... are in the recently published book by Peter Anyang' Nyong'o. Kenyans are not that stupid," Miguna claimed.
Political analyst Prof Edward Kisiang'ani also questioned why the former Premier has been out campaigning for BBI yet he was unaware of recommendations on the report.
"Now that Raila Odinga has confessed he does not "know" what is in the BBI report, why has he been telling Kenyans to support what he has not also seen? Suppose he finally sees the report and discovers it recommends a presidential system for Kenya, will he denounce it?" he posed.