Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top
Raila Odinga signs for the BBI Bill at KICC, Nairobi on November 25, 2020.

BBI

Raila says he was involved in final changes to BBI bill

NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 26 – Orange Democratic Movement Party Leader Raila Odinga says he fully supports the Constitution Amendment Bill (2020) proposed through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), stating that he has been party to all the changes made.

In a statement issued by his Spokesman Dennis Onyango, the former Prime Minister said even though some of his proposals were left out, he remains part of the process and told off critics who blasted him for defending proposals on the electoral commission which were edited out of the final Bill.

The initial report launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Odinga in Kisii had indicated that political parties will play part in the hiring of electoral commissioners, in what was strongly opposed by Deputy President William Ruto and leaders loyal to him.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga at KICC, Nairobi when they launched the BBI signature collection drive.

This is among the proposals dropped from the final Bill whose signatures collection was launched on Wednesday, in an event presided over by the President and the former Prime Minister.

During the launch, Odinga appeared to defend the proposal, in what kicked off a storm in social media, mainly driven by BBI critics who said Odinga was out of touch with the final Bill, even suggesting that he may not have been involved in the changes made in it.

“We wish to clarify that Mr Odinga was party to the changes and in agreement with the contents of the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2020,” his Spokesman Onyango said.

Onyango said Odinga’s statement during the BBI signature collection launch were meant to emphasize that not all views, however strongly held, including his, were included in the document.

“He [Raila] used event to highlight the contested proposals that found their way into the Bill as well as those that were abandoned and also to make the point that not all views, however strongly held, including his, were accepted into the Bill and it should not be a reason for actors to oppose the process,” Onyango added.

Odinga has appealed to Kenyans to come out in large numbers and sign the BBI document so that the process can move to the next stage.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 28 – In a significant development for the East African financial landscape, PayAngel, a global fintech company, has chosen Kenya as...

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 28 – Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa has been arrested in an investigation into claims of an extortion racket targeting...

NATIONAL NEWS

The prestigious event, known for honoring the continent's top young entrepreneurs and Chief Executive Officers under 40, will showcase Kenya's growing influence in the...

NATIONAL NEWS

NAKURU, Kenya, Mar 28 – The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Naivasha has acquitted Joshua Waiganjo of close to 10 charges against him. The offenses...

NATIONAL NEWS

President William Ruto directed the Ministry of Sports to work with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the WRC to make this a reality.

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 28 – Small-scale traders and importers can now breath a sigh of relief after the Government ordered the release of their...

Sports

President William Ruto on Thursday officially flagged off the 2024 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), Nairobi....

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 27 – The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has approved the establishment of an employee protection unit for victims of sexual harassment...