Led by Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu (pictured), the MPs on Thursday praised the devolved units that ensured that Aukot’s initiative was defeated, insisting he failed to seek sufficient public participation before drafting the proposals/COURTESY
NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 17 – A section of Members of Parliament have lauded 31 county assemblies who rejected the Punguza Mizigo Initiative Bill sponsored by Thirdway Alliance Party Leader Ekuru Aukot terming the move as bold and timely.
The leaders drawn from a pro-handshake wing in Parliament reaffirmed their support to the unity pact between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM Leader Raila Odinga that was brokered on March 9, 2018, maintaining that focus should now shift to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) team whose report is due to be presented to the two leaders sometime next week.
BBI Secretary Paul Mwangi told Capital FM News on Thursday the report might be presented next week to the two principles subject to “direction given”.
Led by Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, the MPs on Thursday praised the devolved units that ensured that Aukot’s initiative was defeated, insisting he failed to seek sufficient public participation before drafting the proposals.
Wambugu who has fashioned himself as an ardent supporter of the handshake described the fall of the intiative as a win for the BBI team whose mandate was to collect views from Kenyans on how the country should be united following continued recurrences of discord during every electioneering period.
“We note that except for Uasin Gishu all the other assemblies that discussed bill rejected it primarily on the basis of lack of inclusivity in how it was prepared,” he said.
Mathare MP Anthony Olouch scolded Aukot for what he accused him of being used by unnamed rogue elements in government who were out to advance their political agenda.
“We are aware of the fact that there were political forces that had expected to use Punguza Mizigo as a political tool to divide Kenyans as well as use it to create obstacles against the BBI. We hope they have learnt that Kenyans are not on sale,” he said.
Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang warned that Aukot’s attempts to move to court to halt the release of the BBI report would be met with the same fate as that of his Bill and urged him to accept and move on.
He at the same time poured cold water on the assertion that most of the counties shot down the Bill on technicalities, claims which Aukot has attributed as being part of the reasons why a majority of the ward representatives never debated the Bill.
“He’s going to court is his constitutional right and in the process of time the proceedings will be dealt with in one way or another. I believe the counties dealt with the bill on merit and I have listened to nearly all the counties that debated the bill and for sure they did vote,” he said.
MPs Maoka Maore (Igembe North), Mishi Mboko (Likoni) and Abdi Shurei (Balambala) committed to fully support the implementation of the BBI report which they argued had factored in views of a majority of Kenyans.
“We want to give our assurances that we will do our part to complete this journey of uniting Kenyans together,” said Maore.
MP Mboko dismissed claims that the formation of the BBI team was based on a selfish political agenda of President Kenyatta and former premier Odinga as claimed by a section of their colleagues especially those allied to Deputy President William Ruto, insisting that the team traversed the country and captured the views of Kenyans.
“The idea that the report is based on two personalities is a fallacy,” she said.
The leaders spoke in Parliament buildings a day after it became apparent that Aukot’s initiative had a hit a dead end.
The Bill missed the requisite 24 county threshold for it to be tabled to both Houses of Parliament for consideration.
President Kenyatta on Wednesday broke his silence on the BBI works and categorically stated that its recommendations would bolster the country’s unity.
He at the same time told off those claiming that he was using the team to extend his mandate.
“If there is a legacy I want to leave, it is that of unity so that no more blood is shed because of politics,” the President said after commissioning the Ngong SGR station.
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