A section of leaders from West Pokot County have challenged President Uhuru Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement [ODM] leader Raila Odinga to break their silence and give Kenyans a way forward after the High Court ruling on the Building Bridges Initiative [BBI].
On Thursday, five judges ruled that BBI initiative was unconstitutional.
A bench comprising Justices Joel Ngugi, George Odunga, Jairus Ngaah, Teresia Matheka and Chacha Mwita upheld a consolidated case by eight petitioners that the constitution bears essential features on its basic structure that cannot be amended.
Speaking to the press yesterday in Kapenguria, leaders led by former Nominated member of county assembly Teresa Lokichu said that President Kenyatta and his handshake partner Mr. Odinga who are the initiators and proponents of the initiative should come out and speak bravely and support the court ruling arguing that the duo should be the first to laud the courts instead of developing cold feet and going mute.
They cited that the silence of the two leaders was too loud an indication that they are not on the side of the common mwananchi.
“Why go mute when everyone wants to hear your voice,” she said.
The leaders who lauded the judges for the ruling noted that Kenyans were not given a chance to read and understand the document.
“We only heard it from chiefs. Uhuru and Raila have not said anything since the ruling was made on Thursday. We have not seen them at any press conference .It means they are not in support of Kenyans,” he said.
Ms Lokichu noted that the silence shows BBI was a business of only two people.
“Kenyans have the say in the document but the common mwananchi was kept in darkness. BBI was for their own benefit that is why they are pushing it fast,’ she said.
She explains that the judges are professionals who do their work well hence no need for an appeal.
The leaders were optimistic that even if they appeal nothing will change.
Former West Pokot County assembly speaker Mr Jonstone Losilian said that Kenyans were not involved in the BBI process adding that the judges followed the law to the latter.
He said that President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga should accept the ruling and move on.
“Let them go back to the drawing board and start the process afresh,” he said.
The former Chepareria ward MCA faulted members of parliament and MCAs for passing the bill blindly.
“They could have involved the Youth, women who could have been given out their views,” he said.