The Building Bridges Initiative team has refuted claims that it has already proposed Constitutional changes, including the creation of a Prime Minister’s post. The team which is led by Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji has also claimed it isn’t in a position to recommend or support referendum calls. The member team which also included Busia Senator and former Attorney General Amos Wako was formed after the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Premier Raila Odinga with a view to providing guidelines and recommendations towards peace and stability in Kenya for the foreseeable future.
The team’s reaction on Monday was fueled by a news story on the Standard newspaper, which outlined that among the proposals forwarded, includes a call for a Prime Minister who will be appointed by a one-term President. The President will be the head of state while the Prime Minister will be the head of government, and will be appointed from the National Assembly. The BBI team chairman faulted the Standard newspaper, and encouraged the media to look for information directly from the team before publishing.
At the moment, the team isn’t in a position to take a stand on Constitutional changes, according to the team’s joint secretary Paul Mwangi, “At the moment we are not in a position to take our stand. What we shall do is that we shall look at the proposals and compare with our own proposal, look at where the problem is and give out the cure which will give the method of resolution,” he said, “If it calls for a Constitution amendment, that’s when we’ll have a question of whether their will be a referendum or not.” said Paul Mwangi secretary.
The task force has already visited 39 Counties to get different views, and other views will be taken on board within he next three weeks and from Tuesday 16th July, they’ll be heading to Taita Taveta, Kwale, Tana River, Lamu, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Bungoma and Nairobi.
Written by Ian Madiavale