ACK Bishop for Bungoma Diocese George Mechumo has lashed at members of
parliament over what he claimed are not telling locals the truth
concerning the alleged fake BBI report that was sent to counties for
debate and subsequent passing of the bill that is now awaiting to be
presented in two houses; national assembly and senate for discussion.
Over the past weeks there has been criticisms from a section of
politicians who have claimed the BBI report that was presented in
counties were fake eliciting debate on the controversial bill that was
debated and passed by more than 40 counties.
Bishop Mechumo was speaking at Kitale ACK Diocese church
where he joined his counterpart Dr Emmanuel Chemengich in consecration
of newly built church of the Diocese, blamed politicians for taking the
public for a ride by not telling them the truth concerning the report
claiming some people want to encroach politics in the whole saga.
Mechumo however appealed to the government to work with churches in
realizing the Covid protocols are upheld claiming the ban on churches
to operate within the confines of the law of allowing only few
congregants was wrong appealing to President Uhuru Kenyatta to lift
the order.
On his part Kiminini MP Dr. Chris Wamalwa dismissed a narrative in the
political circles alleging there is a plot to have the 2022 general
election postponed to extend President Uhuru Kenyatta’s term in
office.
Dr. Wamalwa noted that the election date is protected by the current
constitution unlike in the past and its change can only be made
possible through a constitutional amendment.
“The election date cannot be extended even by a day. Those flouting
the idea are doing so out of misinformation,” he spoke after attending
a consecration church service at the St. Luke’s ACK pro-cathedral
Kitale.
Dr. Wamalwa also called on the Joint Parliamentary Justice and Legal
Affairs Committee (JLAC) to set the record straight on allegations that
there are several copies of the Building Bridges Initiatives
Constitutional Amendment Bill 2020.
“We want to know who is saying the truth since varying statements by
the committee’s co-chairperson Muturi Kigano and that of his co-chair
Okong’o Omongeni are confusing,” said Dr. Wamalwa.
He however said the two houses have no power to amend the bill as
proposed by some legislators. He said the only mandate they have is to
have a vote to decide whether to pass or reject the bill.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has
distanced itself from the controversy saying that the commission
forwarded to counties the same copies of the document that it received
from the BBI promoters.
The legislator also called on the Judicial Service Commission JSC to
ensure the selection of the Chief Justice among the candidates who
were interviewed is done professionally to ensure the deserving
candidate is picked.
“We want whoever will be picked to be somebody who will take over from
where former Chief Justice David Maraga left by ensuring he applies
diplomacy whenever required to do so instead of being a hardliner,”
said Dr. Wamalwa.