A section of Mt Kenya leaders in Kirinyaga, Friday exchanged words as the fate of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) takes shape.
The report which was unveiled by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday together with co-owner Raila Odinga has received different opinions on how it should be implemented - through Parliament or through a referendum.
It all started after Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria inquired why some leaders would want to go to a costly referendum yet the report can be tackled by the National Assembly.
“It was just the other day we spent Sh500 million collecting views on the same initiative. Why would we again want to spend more on a referendum when we can easily get everything done through Parliament where we are the people’s representatives?” posed Kuria.
In a quick rejoinder, Gathoni wa Muchomba (Kiambu Woman Rep) termed the decision to have parliamentarians decide the fate of BBI 'impossible' citing some politicians lack goodwill with the report.
“We cannot allow this process to be left to these political thugs and it should be left to the people who are supreme on matters Constitution,” she said.
Wamuchomba's remarks further attracted the wrath of MPs Gichimu Githinji (Gichugu) and Wangui Ngirichi (Kirinyaga Woman Rep).
“By simply expressing our democratic rights to state how we feel the BBI should move, and supporting that it comes through Parliament, does not make us political thugs,” Ngirichi said.
However, DP Ruto who was initially thought to have opposed the BBI welcomed referendum saying he will support it should it be recommended.
“If there shall be clauses that will need a referendum, let us go to it as a united people,” said Dr Ruto, while attending a thanksgiving ceremony for nominated MP David Ole Sankok at Enkare-Ng’iro in Narok South.
ODM leader Raila Odinga, on the other hand, maintained that the final fate of the report is unto the people to decide.