President Kenyatta, Raila urge MPs to ‘listen to the people’ and pass BBI Bill

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga have urged members of the two Houses of Parliament to pass the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) driven Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill 2020.

The BBI co-principals, in a joint statement released on Wednesday evening, told both members of the National Assembly and the Senate to uphold the will of the millions of Kenyans who appended their signatures in support of the bill.

The duo also asked the lawmakers to shelve their personal political pursuits and stand with the 44 County Assemblies that approved the bill.

“We are making a joint appeal to members of the National assembly and the Senate to join the 3,188,001 Kenyans who supported the Bill, and the 44 County Assemblies who approved it,  in upholding what represents the hopes and aspirations of all those who participated in the various public forums seeking long term solutions to this country’s problems,” read the statement.

“We are asking them to stand up with their countrymen in charting a non-partisan and selfless way forward for all of us. This is not the time for political adversity nor for personal aggrandizement. This is the time to listen to the people and to remember that it is their sovereignty we exercise as their servants.”

It further added: “After this vote, the Bill shall be going directly to the people to confirm that indeed they are satisfied that we have been listening to them as they talk.  Let us be the faithful servants we were all elected to be.”

President Kenyatta and Raila recalled how they made a commitment to unify the country on March 9, 2018 by offering an alternative leadership “that prevents future generations inheriting dangerous divisions and offers them a path to bright future for all.”

The BBI Steering Committee was then established led by the late Garissa Senator Mohamed Yusuf  Haji and, according to President Kenyatta and Raila, the goal is within grasp and only awaits the seemingly elusive nod from Parliament.