Raila Speaks Out Following Supreme Court’s Ruling on BBI

ODM party leader Raila Odinga has reacted to Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling on the Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2020.

The apex court, in a majority judgment, upheld a decision by the Appeals Court that declared the push to amend the constitution through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) unconstitutional.

In a statement, Odinga applauded the verdict by the seven-judge bench, stating that the ruling upheld the sovereignty of the people of Kenya.

“I wish to applaud the verdict of the Supreme Court today as a much desired reiteration of the sovereignty of the people of Kenya, particularly in the backdrop of questions surrounding amendments to the Constitution,” said Odinga.

Odinga, who spearheaded the constitutional changes alongside President Kenyatta, also noted that the verdict was empathetic that every State organ must always subject itself to the people of Kenya and must never usurp their sovereignty by substituting their will with that of State officers and State organs.

“I am particularly pleased by the introspection that the Chief Justice has started regarding the role of the Judiciary in the constitutional order and its relationship with other arms of Government,” said Odinga.

Raila, who is eyeing the presidency under the Azimio La Umoja coalition, further indicated that it is time the country has a conversation regarding the separation of powers between the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary and the roles of checks and balances of each arm of government in order to enhance governance in “our constitutional order.”

At the same time, Odinga said proponents of BBI will retreat to deliberate on the way forward and come up with a new direction.

“I note that the BBI process has been upheld. I also note that the contents of the bill itself was upheld save for the provisions of the 2nd Schedule. What has been faulted is the role that the State is said to have played at the commencement of the popular initiative,” said Odinga.

“We shall deliberate on the way forward and decide on a future course of action that protects the interests of all those who voted to see the amendments come to light.”