Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati revealed how Orange Democratic Movement, under Raila Odinga, feared to face off Deputy President William Ruto in Parliament in the struggle to have the Building Bridges Initiative report implemented.
On Thursday, November 28, Arati reiterated Odinga's sentiments on submitting the BBI to a referendum. MPs are torn between the decision to pass the proposals in Parliament or through a public vote.
The ODM leaders were speaking at Lavington, during the launch of the new multi-million headquarters, Chungwa House.
"There is a problem, let us agree. There is nothing you are telling us that we are going to Parliament to discuss the BBI report. We know very well that William Samoei Ruto will buy all MPs and they will cause a problem in this country.
"The only court we will get justice is at the common mwanachi," Arati spoke.
The Standard further reported that Odinga asked his party's MPs not to think about hijacking the document, which he believes belongs to the people.
National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi argued that the house was compromised and in the best interest of the people, it would not be fair to have parliament spearhead constitutional reforms.
"I hear people talking about the parliamentary initiative. How do you expect the initiative to pass in that kind of Parliament," Mbadi wondered. Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and his Mombasa counterpart, Hassan Joho also supported a referendum.
"Amidst all the calls for a referendum, which in my view, are just distractions tactics, we must be cautious not to allow the BBI report to be just another report that shall gather dust somewhere in a locker! We have been there before!
"The BBI report should not suffer the same fate. We should not take that route. It’s one of a kind report, which if implemented can certainly bring a smile in the face of Kenyans. For this reason, what next for the report? Let it come to Parliament for it to be acted on. I rest my case," National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale tweeted on Thursday, November 28, 2019.
According to the BBI website, the next move after the report's launch is for Kenyans to discuss the challenges and solutions in the document.
"What does it not include that you would like to see included? What should be the priorities for implementation? Next will come town hall meetings and workshops that are being organised and will take place throughout the country. Sites of meetings and dates will be announced on this page. As well as options to contribute online," a statement from the initiative reads.
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