MPs raise disputed BBI proposals

MPs and senators yesterday raised a number of contentious issues they wanted resolved in the BBI report. The legislators had an issue with the roadmap to the two-thirds gender rule and stripping of some of the powers of the Senate.

The dissent over the report played out yesterday after Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala was blocked from attending the meeting at the Great Rift Valley Lodge.

Mr Malala, who had arrived early to attend the meeting presided over by President Kenyatta and ODM leader Odinga, was barred from accessing the venue on claims that his name was not on the list of those invited.

"I was in the preparatory meeting at Windsor Hotel in Nairobi. In fact, I took part in the preparations for the Naivasha retreat, but when I arrived today I was blocked from attending the meeting on pretext that my name was missing from the list of attendees,” said Senator Malala on a phone interview.

He added: "My name must have been expunged from the list by people who felt uncomfortable with a number of issues I raised at the preparatory meeting."

Demanded amendments

Mr Malala revealed that he had raised various issues and demanded amendments of the document before the referendum process kicks off. "I had demanded amendments, for instance, the issue of unfair distribution of constituencies across the country and the need for more powers for the Senate as an Upper House. This must have made people uncomfortable,” he said.

However, several MPs and senators who attended the meeting yesterday maintained that some leaders including DP William Ruto’‘s allies had been invited but chose not to attend.

"If you were invited and chose not to come, it is a loss for you because this is a national conversation. You were elected to represent your people and you should have attended so that you make your voice heard. I also had issues of concern, and I attended the meeting and raised them,” said Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo.

At the meeting, senators also raised concern over Senate’s loss of power in the new structure. They pushed to be given powers to vet ministers because some of the ministers will come from the National Assembly.

Led by Speaker Ken Lusaka, senators had made a declaration for power but most of those present yesterday appeared to have been convinced after the meeting.

Among other things, they were pushing for a powerful Senate, regarded as the upper House, with roles not only well defined, but protected. "As we push through for the BBI process, we must position ourselves properly or else this will be our last Senate. Let us put our best foot forward. All we want is a strengthened Senate that can oversight the increased revenue to counties that will now be 35 percent and also play other major roles,” said Mr Lusaka last Friday.

But MPs argued that it was too late to change the structure of Parliament and doing so would open the document up for discussion.

Women MPs also cast doubts if the two thirds gender rule will be met. But an expert, Prof Ben Sihanya, explained to them how the numbers add upon which they did not raise any other issue.

There have been emerging protests by key parties like trade unions, women and persons living with disabilities disgruntled with certain proposals.