The decision by MPs from Mt Kenya to rebuke the Building Bridges Initiative report even before its content is made public was rather premature, leaders allied to Raila Odinga have said.
At least 40 MPs from Mt Kenya region on Thursday rebuked the report, swearing that they will shoot it down should it propose changing of government system.
The MPs led by Senator Isaac Mwaura insisted that the Parliamentary system will discriminate the region due to high population and small number of constituencies.
Mwaura said, "When it comes to governance, we want the principle of one man one vote respected. We will not elect leaders through Parliament or [electoral] college."
National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi has however blamed the team, questioning the decision to reject the report even before it is unveiled.
Further, he accused the MPs of not being genuine, adding that they have never listened to their people before going to the press to oppose the report.
“I don’t know where they have done their public hearing to know that their people don’t want a parliamentary system, unless some have a plot to scuttle the work of BBI,” Mbadi said.
Mbadi wondered why the leaders were quick to preempt the contents of the BBI report before it is made public.
Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang said, “Kenya is bigger than Mt Kenya.” He urged the leaders to support change of government system to allow inclusivity.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga are set to receive the report next week. It's widely expected that the team will recommend a referendum.