29 Members of the National Assembly and senators, on Saturday, November 30, changed their tune on the recently released Building Bridges Initiative with fresh demands to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
As part of their resolutions during a two-day retreat in Embu, the lawmakers demanded a separate referendum should not be pursued and if necessary, it should run alongside the 2022 general elections.
The leaders, led by Embu Senator Njeru Ndwiga, further expressed that the implementation of the report should be carried out by a parliamentary task force and that it should prioritise economic development instead of adding more executive positions.
They argued that a separate referendum would be a waste of task payers' money which would be channelled to help the youth as well as farmers.
"We shall look at BBI report largely from an economic eye. Such a national process must bring meaning to our people.
"Our national resources should be spared from a national referendum. It should be avoided," stated Ndegwa.
"We can use the billions for our youth, our coffee, our tea, our milk, our health and the president's big 4 programmes," he continued.
Other leaders who attended the retreat included Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, Kirinyaga Woman Representative Purity Ngirichi, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
"If at all a referendum is the way to go, it must carry along everyone. We shall refuse a referendum that will leave Kenya more divided.
"And while on that, and for the avoidance of doubt, we shall refuse another committee of experts. That is unnecessary. The Senator Yusuf Hajji task-force was a competent team," added Kuria.
Addressing the press, Ndegwa clarified that their meeting was not sponsored by Deputy President William Ruto as opposed to popular opinion.
Uhuru launched the BBI report on Wednesday, November 27, at the Bomas of Kenya.
