Ruto allies reject plan to pass BBI in Parliament

Hillary Mageka @hillarymageka

Deputy President William Ruto’s allies have rejected a plot by a section of legislators to use Parliament to pass non-disputed proposals in the Building Bridges Initiatives (BBI).

The group has proposed that MPs convene a session akin to the Inter Parties Parliamentary Group that effected piece-meal changes to the Constitution ahead of the 1997 General Election.

Tharaka Nithi Senator Prof. Kithure Kindiki said the proposals by a section of lawmakers to try and resuscitate some of the BBI proposals will not succeed.

According to Kindiki, some of the amendment touching on the foundational doctrines and clauses of the Constitution must start and end with the people.

“Just like the recently failed “Executive Initiative” that was found to be alien to our law, the court will, without doubt, declare the current attempt to tamper with entrenched provisions without a Constituent Assembly established by the people illegally, unconstitutional, null and void,” Prof Kithure said. 

“Will Parliament be advised? He posed. On his part, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei termed the move as efforts in futility, as the Executive has captured Parliament.

“The few of us who have stood the tide in Parliament have already been overrun by the State capture happening in the bi-cameral Parliament,” Cherargei told People Daily yesterday.

“If there are any BBI or constitutional reforms, let them be brought to the people to decide not Parliament,” he said, adding that the court ruled that any constitutional making process must start and end with the people.

Cherargei, however, backed calls by Catholic Bishops who want BBI referendum held after 2022 polls, saying there is no time for a referendum.