Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula has declared his final position on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2020, famously known as the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) referendum Bill.
The Bungoma Senator on Saturday May 8, 2021 through his official Twitter account defended his earlier position on the bill, saying that he was only a critic of the BBI referendum bill.
Wetang’ula on Tuesday made a surprise move, calling for radical amendments on the bill that has hence received a nod from the Members of National Assembly.
Wetang’ula who is a principal in the One Kenya Alliance said to be enjoying the blessings of President Uhuru Kenyatta, said the bill contains several provisions that will erode the gains the country has made.
Speaking during the debate on the Bill in the senate chambers on Tuesday, Wetangula said the provisions are a clawback and should be changed by parliament to realign them to the Constitution.
The senator took issue with the second schedule of the Bill that creates 70 constituencies, creation of the Judiciary Ombudsam, scrapping of 47 woman rep positions in the National Assembly and creation of the Youth Commission.
“I don’t understand why we are creating a Youth Commission. We have so many laws that govern our youth. Kenyans must learn to understand that youth is neither a disadvantage nor a disability. It is a transit state in human life,” he said.
The vocal lawmaker, a lawyer by profession, questioned the constitutionality, rationale and criteria for the creation and allocation of 70 constituencies to some 47 counties.
However, he has defended his position saying that he was only pointing out some of the shortcomings in the BBI bill.
He went ahead to declare his final position on the bill’s vote, saying that he will vote yes for the bill when it will be tabled in the senate.
“It does appear to me that many don’t understand the difference between a critic on a bill and opposing a bill. Pointing out shortcomings in a bill like I did on the BBI bill is a legislator’s duty. I will vote YES for the bill. It’s my and FK party position!” he said.
Wetang’ula’s statement did not, however, go well with a section of Kenyans on Twitter, who have condemned him for pointing out the shortcomings in the BBI referendum bill, but still going ahead to vote YES.
The seeming angry KOT criticized Wetang’ula for endorsing the BBI referendum bill with all the shortcomings he had pointed out.
Here are some of the KOT’s reactions.
