The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has warned Kenyans against rush to pass the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) bill.
The call by religious leaders comes days after the National Assembly overwhelmingly passed the bill which received the blessings of 235 members against 83 who opposed the bill where only two members absconded.
According to NCCK, some Members of the National Assembly who participated in the process did not even read and understand the proposed amendments but voted to appease their political party’s position and bosses.
According to NCCK, the rush to pass the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2020 might have some hidden agenda since President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga pushed their members to pass the bill which they clearly knew was faulty.
In a statement read by Bomet County chairperson Philemon Rotich on Sunday, May 9, the group said rush by BBI promoters to amend the Constitution of Kenya 2010 poses serious questions about the intentions of the promoters.
“We are greatly concerned about the intrigues around the Building Bridges Initiative bill document and the authenticity of this process in the County assemblies and national parliament,’’ the group said.
Kivumbi.co.ke understands that the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly had highlighted several loopholes in the BBI document including typographical errors as well as delivery of different documents at County Assembly for debate.
JLAC said that more than 30 county assemblies out of the 43 that passed the bill debated on a faulty document.
The NCCK added that the process to amend the Constitution is very crucial and that the promoters must give every Kenyan an amble time to fully comprehend the proposed amendments adding that the bill should be popular.
The bill which is currently at the Senate is expected to undergo a voting process on Tuesday, May 11, according to Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka. Photo: Courtesy.
The bill which is currently at the Senate is expected to undergo a voting process on Tuesday, May 11, according to Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka.
If the Senate will pass the bill, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission will have to prepare a referendum within 90 days.
