Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has challenged church leaders to take a definitive stand on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and to avoid double speak.
Raila was speaking at St Stephens ACK in Kisumu on Sunday, December 6 where he accused the church of promoting graft by indiscriminately accepting money donations without questioning the source.
The ODM leader also pointed out that the church has been confusing Kenyans with their lukewarm stand on the BBI, pointing out that some leaders were making contradictory statements about the BBI report.
He maintained that the reason the government had struggled to end corruption was because of unending influence from a few powerful individuals and organizations.
He insisted that the church should be willing and ready to discourage such behaviour.
"Right now the church is engaging in double speak. Where were they when proposals were being
shared with the BBI committee,’’ stated Raila.
He went on to state that the church had had enough time to present their views on the BBI process, noting that the process had been ongoing for two years.
The remarks came just a day after Christian leaders complained of being left out of the BBI process. The ODM leader further told those opposed to the BBI to wait for another opportunity in future.
“If you do not want the document, vote against it during the referendum .BBI will offer concrete solutions to our problems,” said the party leader.
Raila also urged that church leaders should not be partisan .He urged them to speak up if anything was bothering them.
He went ahead to state that consultations have already taken place, and not everything can be taken on board at once as other leaders want. Raila was accompanied by MPs James Nyikal (Seme), Fred Ouda {Kisumu Central}, Rosa Buyu (woman rep) and lastly County Assembly Speaker Elisha Oraro.
The leaders present made it known that they were in full support of the BBI, with the County Assembly Speaker Elisha Oraro saying he will ensure Kisumu County Assembly passes the Constitutional Amendment Bill ,2020.
