ODM Leader Raila Odinga has maintained his tough decision on The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report telling off critics that they meet at the ballot during referendum.
Speaking on Sunday after meeting governors from Nyanza and Western counties in Kisumu, the former Prime Minister told critics of the Building Bridges Initiative to make their views known in the plebiscite.
But even as Raila was rooting for a referendum, Deputy President William Ruto said it is time the government shifts its focus to mobilising resources to fight the worsening Covid-19 situation.
“The wave of Covid-19 is clearly ravaging our nation with alarming increases in infections and deaths. The pandemic is killing people including health workers while destroying livelihoods. We should stop everything and mobilise every human, material and financial resource to fight,” he said in a late evening tweet.
But Raila, who was accompanied by Cabinet secretaries Fred Matiang’i (Interior) and Eugene Wamalwa (Devolution) said many BBI critics are not sincere and just want to derail it.
Raila said the process of amending Constitution is democratic and whoever has issues can vote ‘no’.
“It is going to be a democratic process, we welcome those who have issues. Let us meet on the field, let the people decide. The people at a critical moment will make the right choice,” he said.
The AU Infrastructure special envoy reiterated that this week they will start collecting signatures. He expressed confidence they will marshal the requisite one million signatures and get approval from 24 county assemblies.
The ODM chief termed as propaganda claims BBI recommendations will create an all-powerful President, saying purveyors of that narrative are the stumbling blocks to change.
“I have been part of the struggle for reforms and change and I will never be party to any amendment that will create an imperial presidency,” Raila said.
“Naysayers are always there, even in the Bible. Concerning the 2010 Constitution, some claimed it was legalising abortions, introducing gay marriage,”he added.
On the proposed creation of a Judiciary Ombudsman, the former premier said the office will benefit most Kenyans who will be able to lodge complaints about judges and court officials. The President will appoint the Ombudsman, which critics say give the President too much power.
“The Ombudsman is for the benefit of wananchi who want to complain against Judiciary,” he said.
Raila also denied claims the introduction of a prime minister and two deputies will further bloat the government.
“I was Lang’ata MP and my primary salary was for being an MP. I only earned allowances for additional executive duty. This is reducing cost, not increasing it.
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Critics argue the three positions come with huge expenses of office operations, staff and other things.
In a clear indication that local administration — regional, county and subcounty commissioners as well as the chief — will play a critical role, Matiang’i announced the next step is collecting one million signatures.
“After successful deliberations, governors from Nyanza and Western agreed to support BBI without any reservations,” Matiang’i tweeted.
Raila is taking a hardline position despite many Kenyans, including the church and civil society, calling for more time to build consensus.
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