Over 50 leaders from the Mt Kenya region want parliament to implement the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report after it was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday.
The leaders met on Friday in Embu and pledged to support calls for the parliament to implement the recommendations of the report over a referendum.
The lawmakers claimed that a referendum will cost the taxpayers’ funds for no good reason. A statement read by Embu senator Njeru Ndwiga said that the lawmakers are behind parliament implementation because it is cost-friendly.
"Parliament is the sole body constitutionally mandated to pass laws. We commit ourselves to drive legal work in Parliament moving forward," part of the statement read, as quoted by The Star.
The leaders said that there is a need to avoid processes that are likely to cause division among Kenyans on grounds of the contents of the report after it was made public by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Amolo Odinga.
The leaders who attended the meeting included Jayne Kihara, Rigathi Gachagua, Ndindi Nyoro, Moses Kuria, Purity Ngirichi, Kariuki Mariru, Patrick Munene, Mwangi Gichuhi, Mike Muchira, and Kimani Ngunjiri.
Others are Mithika Linturi, Rindikiri Mugambi, Kabinga wa Thayu, David Gikaria, Anthony Kiai, Cate Waruguru, Jude Njomo, Kubai Kiringo, Githinji Gichimu, Jane Wanjuki Thitima, Samuel Gachobe, Susan Kihika, John Kinyua, Sen Isaac Mwaura, Mary Wamaua, Alice Wahome, Munene Wambugu and Jeremiah Kioni among others.