BBI process on course, says Speaker Justin Muturi
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi addresses journalists at his home in Mbeere, Embu County, on April 9, 2021.
What you need to know:
- However, Mr Muturi has acknowledged that the several court cases against the proposed constitutional changes are likely to delay the referendum.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi is confident that parliamentarians will complete their work on the BBI constitutional amendment Bill within the specified time despite challenges occasioned by Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Muturi said on Saturday that the joint team of the Senate and National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs committees, led by Mutiri Kigano, will have completed its work by the time the two Houses resume their sittings.
He asked the committee to embrace virtual sessions in light of rules to contain the spread of the virus, adding that should physical meetings be necessary, he can allow use of the chambers as long as social distancing is observed.
He said the committee needs to meet physically for only five days in order to complete the work.
“We are on course but because of the interruption by the Covid-19 pandemic, we have given five days [for members] to wrap up and write a report,” he told journalists at his home in Mbeere, Embu County.
“On May 4, when the National Assembly resumes sittings, the report must be tabled for debate and voting.”
However, Mr Muturi has acknowledged that the several court cases against the proposed constitutional changes are likely to delay the referendum.
The speaker further asked committee members not to dwell on too many views when scrutinising the report, saying they cannot change anything.
On Thursday, Mr Kigano said the committee was looking at expert views given by various groups during public participation. These groups include the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which spoke about the creation of new constituencies.
