ODM leader Raila Odinga seems to have resigned his position that the BBI Report would not be amended, a decision which was agreed upon in a meeting with Members of Parliament (National Assembly and Senate) during a retreat to Naivasha on November 2, 2020.
On November 9, Odinga met leaders from the pastoralist communities in Nairobi where he promised to consider their concerns about being left out of the process.
“I appreciate having had a robust and candid discussion with leaders from pastoralist communities this morning.
“Their views on the BBI process that they expressed support for, are welcome and shall be taken into consideration as we formulate the way forward for our nation,” the ODM leader announced.
He explained that their concerns included revenue sharing, the equalization fund and having the livestock marketing authority, given that it was the communities’ primary economic activity.
“The pastoralists have lagged behind because we have always missed out on the table where national policies were discussed and developed.
“It is, therefore, time for us to take a lead role in the BBI process and ensure that our interests are well entrenched in the document as well as the subsequent Constitutional amendments,” stated Eldas MP Adan Keynan who is also the secretary to the Jubilee Coalition’s Parliamentary Group.
The leaders elected three representatives who would meet the BBI technical team to iron out their concerns. Among those present in the meeting included Treasury CS Ukur Yattani, Mining and Petroleum CS John Munyes and Senate Majority Leader Samuel Poghiso.
The news was well-received by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen who had complained that Deputy President William Ruto’s concerns and suggestions in the BBI report were locked out.
“Well done. Glad you’ve rescinded your earlier hardline position that BBI won’t be amended. Now let’s amend the document to capture concerns of pastoralists, evolutionists, Judiciary etc then pass BBI by consensus. We don’t want us vs them attitude. Let’s reason together as Kenyans,” he offered.
DP Ruto has already declared that his support for the referendum would be pegged on whether amendments would be allowed in sectors touching on the Judiciary, Executive and the IEBC.
“Pastoralists, the church, women, Senate and other stakeholders want consensus on the BBI. It's a contradiction to want to amend the Constitution while refusing to amend a mere report (BBI). It's defeatist to build walls to shut others out while purporting to build bridges,” he stated in a past tweet.
