ODM Leader Raila Odinga has distanced himself from a group of legislators who are pushing for the implementation of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) bill through parliament.
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr is believed to be part of the caucus, though the details of their proposal remain unknown. He added that the proposals of the BBI bill should be enacted by October or November 2021.
"There isn't enough time to conduct a referendum as envisaged in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). For now a referendum is out of question," the Senate Minority Whip was quoted by Sunday Nation as saying.
Kilonzo Jr, yesterday, May 29, stated that proponents of the BBI need a plan B should the court dismiss the document.
Raila has since dismissed the proposal by the MPs reiterating that the amendment process should envisage the voice of the people, rather than be implemented by parliament.
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"I am not part of the caucus. I have told its promoters that Kenyans should be allowed to make the ultimate decision through the referendum," Raila told the Sunday Nation on May 30.
The caucus, allegedly comprising lawmakers from various camps, is seeking to counter the ruling by the High Court on May 13, that declared the BBI process unconstitutional, by enacting it through the August House.
The group proposes to implement key amendments contained in the bill before the 2022 general election while postponing controversial issues that may require a referendum.
The lawmakers claim that parliament is a viable option following the unpredictable nature of court proceedings.
Aside from the former premier, the group is said to have contacted Deputy President William Ruto, President Uhuru Kenyatta, ANC Leader Musalia Mudavadi, Wiper-Kenya Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, KANU leader Gideon Moi to draw support for their cause.
BBI Secretariat Junet Mohammed argued that the proposal by the caucus is a plan to sabotage the constitutional amendment process by critics of the BBI.
He argued that the group is undermining President Kenyatta's reform agenda.
"There is no law that stipulates when the country should hold a referendum," he said.
The Suna East MP alleged that the proposal is a tactic by lawmakers allied to DP Ruto to scatter the BBI process.
"Whose aim is it to send the country on a wild goose chase? They want to hijack BBI which is at its tail end. Why do they want to make it a parliamentary process?
"There is enough time to hold a referendum. The referendum is a one-day process. We will be patient with the court process," Mohammed stated.
He was seconded by National Assembly Deputy Majority Whip Maoka Maore who claimed that supporters of the president should reject the proposal as it depicts a "greed for power."
"These dark forces opposed BBI and never wanted to participate in its realisation. In fact, they played a big role in creating national doubt in the process. They don't mean well for Kenya," he said.
