ODM directs all party MPs to pass the BBI Bill in its entirety

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has now directed all the party Members of Parliament (MPs) to support the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) driven Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill 2020 when it comes up for debate on Wednesday.

This comes after reports of division among the rank and file of the party, coming on the backdrop of some of the senior members appending their signatures to a committee report terming sections of the bill as unconstitutional.

ODM party chairman John Mbadi on Tuesday however came out strongly and directed all members of the party to ensure the bill is passed in its current form, in its entirety.

“ODM stands in full support of the bill and calls for its passage in totality, and we stand solidly side by side with President Uhuru Kenyatta and his brother Raila Odinga in their quest to fix Kenya through partnerships and honest engagements,” Mbadi said.

Siaya Senator James Orengo, his Nyamira counterpart Okong’o Omogeni and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo caused anxiety in the party when they signed a majority report that declared the second schedule of the bill that allocated the 70 new constituencies to some counties as unconstitutional.

Mbadi now says that he expects all MPs that had reservations on the bill to change their minds and get in line with the party decision.

“The party pronounces itself, I have given the party position, any other position taken by any other party member would be contrary to the party position and we all know how parties are governed in this country, any member including Raila Odinga must follow the party position,” Mbadi declared.

Kieni MP Kanini Kega also dismissed claims that the two Houses would negate the bill and dent the constitution amendment process.

Kega said they will be eagerly waiting to see who among the MPs would oppose the amendments considering the many goodies the document has for Kenyans.

“Everyone has a right to oppose or support the bill, and we will be waiting to see how each MP votes, but I have no doubt in my mind, that just like the bill passed through the county assemblies, it will also pass through the two houses,” he said.

Mvita MP Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir dismissed claims that some sections of the bill are unconstitutional insisting that Kenyans have a right to amend the constitution in any way they so wish, because power belongs to them.
“All we are required to do as a house is to vote Yes or No, but we will vote Yes without even changing a coma,” he said.