Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto has said it is time to focus on economic recovery after the court halted the Building Bridges Initiative bill process.
A five-judge bench on Thursday, May 13, declared the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2020 unconstitutional, illegal null and void.
This came as a shocker to promoters of the bill after it was overwhelmingly passed in both houses of Parliament.
Ruto who has been opposing the Constitutional amendments called upon the Pro-BBI promoters to respect independent institutions and instead asked leaders to bolster the economy as well as fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our democracy is anchored on the rule of law, constitutionalism, separation of power and respect for independent institutions. Now let us focus on Covid-19 vaccination, economic recovery and the big four agenda,” Ruto said in a tweet.
His remarks come after a University of Nairobi scholar Herman Manyora took to social media warning anti-BBI teams against celebrating the court ruling saying that the judgement will be overturned.
“Anyone celebrating the ruling that stops BBI must have slept through the long judgement, only to wake up to hear that the court has declared BBI unconstitutional. This judgement invites appeal and it will be overturned,” Manyora said.
Jubilee party Vice-chairman David Murathe has fired back telling DP Ruto to relax. He said the BBI reggae is still on.
“Relax, seems this BBI thing is getting you excited. Its just a normal bump on the road. Soon we will reach the destination and you will have nothing to say,” Murathe said.
Judges George Odunga, Joel Ngugi,Jairus Ngaah, Teresia Matheka and Chacha Mwita nullified the BBI bill saying president Uhuru Kenyatta does not have powers to directly initiate constitutional amendment under the law.
It is our finding that the popular initiative is a power reserved by Wanjiku neither the president nor any other state organ can utilize article 257 to amend the constitution,” the judges ruled.
