Orange Democratic Movement party leader Raila Odinga has challenged the church to make a stand on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and avoid what he termed doublespeak.
Raila (pictured) faulted the church over its inconsistent views on the quest to change the Constitution and their failure to present the demands they want included in the document.
This came as Raila continued with his push to have a contested referendum by challenging those opposed to the document to meet at the ballot with those supporting it.
In a passionate speech at the St Stephens ACK in Kisumu where the ODM leader also launched scathing attacks on the church for promoting corruption, Raila described the BBI process as the solution to the myriad challenges Kenyans have been facing.
“Right now the church is engaging in doublespeak. Where were they when proposals were being shared with the BBI steering committee,” posed Raila.
He noted that the process has been going on for about two years and the church as well as other groups claiming to have been left out had enough time to present their views.
His comments come at a time when a section of the political class opposed to the process as well as a section of the clergy are pushing for additional amendments to the document.
“What is it that you feel we have left out in BBI? Tell us. Otherwise the church will be behaving like some corrupt politicians,” said Raila.
The door for additional amendments seems to be shut after the ODM leader also declared that any further amendments to the Constitution will come later after the ongoing process.
According to Raila, the current quest to change the 2010 Constitution was the first amendment to the document, adding that there will be room for future amendments.
“Consultations have already taken place. You cannot take everything on board at once. There will be another opportunity for other amendments,” he said.
Raila inferred that those that have not yet made their stand on the document have only been doing so for the sake of it.
“BBI will offer concrete solutions to our problems but hypocrites will always plant something. If you do not want it, you have a democratic right to say no and those who want it to vote yes,” said Raila.
The development is set to be a major blow to a section of groups that have been pushing for additional amendments to the document.
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Deputy President William Ruto and his foot soldiers as well as a section of the clergy have been pushing for additional changes to the document before it is subjected to a referendum.
Among the issues that Ruto is hoping can be included in the document before he can fully back it is on the seat of Woman Rep, which he claims has been hurt by proposals in the BBI document. At the weekend, Ruto echoed his concerns during the burial of Matungu MP Justus Murunga where he maintained there was still room to adjust the document.
Yesterday, however, Raila claimed the window for changing the document was shut, adding that changes will only be made in future after the current exercise.
“This is the first amendment to the 2010 Constitution. There will be a second, third or fourth amendment,” said Raila.
“Nobody has stopped the church from coming up with another amendment,” he added.
Raila was accompanied by MPs James Nyikal (Seme), Fred Ouda (Kisumu Central), Rosa Buyu (Woman Rep) and County Assembly Speaker Elisha Oraro.
The leaders also threw their weight behind the process, with Oraro saying he will ensure Kisumu County Assembly passes the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
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