A section of Rift Valley politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto have thrown their weight behind the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Bill that was launched last week in Nairobi.
The change of heart by the politicians came just hours after Dr Ruto took to social media to highlight major wins for his camp in the proposed amendments.
Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria, his Gilgil counterpart Martha Wangari, Njoro’s Charity Kathambi and Kimani Kuria of Molo, were among leaders who attended the signatures collection launch in Nakuru town presided over by Governor Lee Kinyanjui and Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya.
Mr Gikaria said the proposed constitutional changes will address loopholes that have in the past allowed for injustices in the country.
“Election petitions will be resolved within 30 days, an extension on the current 14 days. This will provide enough time for the courts to interrogate evidence presented and make informed decisions,” said Gikaria.
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However, Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama urged politicians to study the document first before making any comments about it in public.
“We want Kenyans to have confidence in leaders. We should not be spreaders of misinformation. It is unfortunate some are opposed to it from a point of ignorance. Understanding the document is important before making a decision,” said Arama.
Wangari said the proposed changes are a win for women seeking leadership positions. “We are happy now that nomination slots will go to women who vied and not based on connections with leaders. We are also happy that CDF and Ward Fund are now provided for in the law which was why we earlier rejected the document before,” said Wangari.
Mr Kimani, a close ally of the Deputy President, said he fully backs the proposed changes, adding that contentious issues will be addressed in Parliament.
“The Bill has a schedule on how the rest of the Bills not in the popular initiative will be passed. There shall be discussions in Parliament and this shall provide room for us to reach the much-desired consensus,” said the MP.
Narok East MP Lemanken Aramat, who previously had declined to talk about the document, said he supports it. “Beginning next week, our Tanga Tanga team will come up with our own plan on popularising the document,” said Aramat, adding that the changes they wanted had been adopted in the new document.
