President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga on Thursday, 13 January criticized Deputy President William Ruto for being at the forefront in opposing constitution amendment proposals.
Speaking at State House during a luncheon with handshake-leaning legislatures, Uhuru regretted that some leaders are always opposing constitutional changes for short-term political gains.
Uhuru noted that most of the amendments have always been aimed at improving the country’s governance system.
“And for the political parties amendment that we are trying to push through which some people have tried to demonize as they demonized BBI. The bill is giving us an opportunity to be able to formally work together across political parties in the interest of the nation,” the President said.
In his speech during the luncheon, Raila said constitutional making is always a work in progress and those opposing such amendments do not understand who the constitution is made.
“Even the democratic constitution of United States of America is still work in progress and they have got several amendments which they always put to use. This includes the fifth amendment and Sixth Amendments,” Raila said.
“So, really, it is not a crime for somebody to see something wrong in our Constitution or in our law that we need to change. It always makes things better.” Raila added.
During the BBI process, the Deputy President made a spirited effort in calling on Kenyans to reject constitutional amendments saying it is only meant to create positions.
In his campaigns, Ruto has constantly hit out at Uhuru and Raila for initiating BBI which he says was meant to create an imperial presidency.
“And let me say this, there was no way BBI was going to pass. This was fraud meant to destroy our Constitution and impose on us an imperial president,” Ruto told Makueni clerics on Thursday, September 23 last year.
During the luncheon, the president thanked the handshake-leaning MPs for passing the controversial Political Parties Amendment bill and urged the senators to pass the bill that Ruto has opposed.
