Uhuru, Raila Silence on BBI Court Ruling Raises Eyebrows

Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) has been the glue that has been holding President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga together. The declaration of its illegality by the High Court was a major blow to the two top political goliaths. 

The silence of the two speaks volumes. Since BBI Bill was declared as null and void there has been conspicuous silence from State House and Orange House, apart from a few rebuttals from their allies. BBI proponents have contemplated to appeal the High Court decision.

Legal pundits observe that those seeking to overturn the High Court’s ruling on BBI will have a colossal task at the Court of Appeal. The intricacy surrounding the legality of Bill is the one that has made the Principals to remain silent.

The decision of declaring BBI as unconstitutional sets a renewed tussle between the Executive and the Judiciary. President Uhuru Kenyatta is hounded by parting remarks made by former Chief Justice David Maraga.

Central Organization of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli poked holes on the court verdict that quashed the legality of BBI Constitutional Amendment Bill. The Trade Unionist alleged, on Friday, that the court was solely determined to discredit the President.

Atwoli wondered why Justice Ngugi referred the President as ‘Mr Uhuru Kenyatta’, in his ruling. The Judge went ahead threatening the President with civil litigation over his violation of the Constitution of Kenya.

The five-judge High Court bench stopped the process of the Constitution of Kenya, 2020 Amendment Bill. The Court finding disclosed that there was minimum public participation. However, the same Court suppressed the petition that sought the President to refund the cash spent on BBI process.

BBI’s Next Move

BBI secretariat termed court’s decision as hard-hitting. The secretariat regarded the verdict as judicial activism that would not overturn the wish of Kenya people. 

BBI taskforce has reportedly established a legal team to appeal the High Court decree, according to opposition Chief Whip in the National Assembly Hon. Junet Mohamed. He urged those Kenyans who believe in BBI not to give up.

IS DP Ruto the Conqueror?

Deputy President William Ruto and allies credited the court’s conclusion. Ruto invoked God’s name by thanking him on behalf of Kenyans. The DP further urged Kenyans to defend the constitution. He further stated that government should now focus on battling Covid-19 pandemic and the vaccination process.

Ruto has been a consistent critic of BBI, which he terms as a document that was tailored for the top leadership to the disadvantage of many Kenyans. Gatundu South legislator Moses Kuria, a staunch Ruto ally, described the Court ruling as a victory to the people.

Supporters of Ruto celebrated the judgment in Murang’a and Baringo. Police were forced to lob teargas canisters against individuals who had gathered to celebrate BBI ruling in Kabarnet town.

In its ruling, the Court seemed to be in concurrence with Ruto’s sentiments to the effect of proposing for a multiple choice referendum.