Reggae is still on: Junet Mohamed and Dennis Waweru on BBI

The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) reggae is still on and reverberating, according to the co-chairs of the Secretariat Junet Mohamed and Dennis Waweru

On Tuesday, the duo dismissed claims that the secretariat had been closed down and all its functions moved to the office of the President.

Waweru termed the rumours as ‘wishful thinking’ by opponents of the BBI process, insisting that the secretariat is still functional.

Junet said he they are still undertaking their role and all they are waiting for is Parliament to pass the Bill then forward it to the President.

“I am very hopeful, that we will have a referendum by July this year, take this from me,” Junet said.

The BBI process has been undergoing challenges in the recent past with rumours of political differences between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

However Junet dismissed talks of political differences, instead blaming ‘enemies’ of ODM of creating rumours.

He said the BBI is a product of ODM and there is no chance of the party running away from their own initiative.

“We have some small boys who have come in late, and who are trying to push ODM out of BBI, I want to assure you, that will not happen, we will not walk away from BBI which is a product of the handshake.” Junet said.

Even as Junet and Waweru expressed confidence, the process has suffered another hitch after parliament was adjourned in line with COVID-19 control measures until early May.

Members of the National Assembly and the Senate have proceeded for the break leaving the Constitution Amendment Bill 2020 stuck with the joint legal committees.

Coupled with numerous court cases, it is unlikely that the referendum will take place in July as envisioned by the BBI secretariat.

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has also questioned the possibility of a referendum happening too close to a general election.

On Tuesday, he said holding two elections within 12 months would be too expensive for the country and instead suggested that funds set aside for referendum be used to combat effects of COVID-19 on the economy.