The allies of Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga have differed over the looming Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) reforms.
Ruto’s allies have been pushing for the Senate to continue with the reconstruction of the commission while Odinga’s camp wants the whole process halted until the second phase of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
The chairperson of the Senate’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, Samson Cherargei reminded the team that the BBI is an affair between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Odinga, adding that it doesn’t interfere with the composition and restructuring of the commission.
Cherargei, who is also the Nandi Senator said that the commission can be reformed as the nation waits for the decision of the BBI team on the key issues affecting the nation. He also noted that his committee has already undertaken its research and compiled a report in readiness for implementation. Odinga’s commission wants the BBI report amended to pave way for the firing of the commissioners from office with immediate effect.
“As a Parliament, we have timelines which guide our business. BBI report is just but a proposal. It has been taken back to the people for further public hearings which will take more time,” Cherargei said in a phone interview.
Senate Deputy Minority leader Cleophas Malala has, however, said that the reforms need to wait until the second phase of the BBI report.