THE STANDARD
POLITICS
President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga display a copy of the Building Bridges Initiative report at Kisii State Lodge. [PSCU]
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THE STANDARD
POLITICS
Justices Teresia Matheka, George Odunga, Joel Ngugi, Jairus Ngaah and Chacha Mwita at a Court in Milimani on Thursday, May 13, 2021, delivering the judgement on eight consolidated petitions challenging the BBI Referendum. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]
The landmark decision by the High Court to scuttle the Building Bridges Initiative has drawn sharp reactions from constitutional lawyers over its implication to the country.
Whereas some lawyers celebrated the decision as a bold statement by the Judiciary to stop an illegal process, other legal experts argued that the decision was illegal as the judges themselves violated the Constitution by failing to correctly apply the law in determining the issues raised.
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COUNTIES
Governor Lee Kinyanjui with Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala (right) in Mombasa County, February 12, 2021. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]
A ruling by a five-judge bench stopping the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) has elicited mixed reactions from leaders and residents of Nakuru County.
Governor Lee Kinyanjui said the initiative that Justices Joel Ngugi, George Odunga, Jairus Ngaah, Chacha Mwita, and Teresia Matheka ruled as null and void on Thursday was unstoppable.
Kinyanjui, who has been spearheading the BBI campaigns in the South Rift region, described the ruling as one of the obstacles confronting the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill of 2020. In the spirit of our Constitution, we respect the High Court ruling. Let us respect the right to disagree, and that is democracy. The journey to constitutional changes is full of obstacles and this is one of them, said Kinyanjui.
THE STANDARD
OPINION
May 13, 2021, will be etched in the annals of Kenya’s history as another pivotal moment when once again the Judiciary boldly upheld and affirmed the sovereignty of the people, and the supremacy of the Constitution while reclaiming its independence.
The last time the spirit of constitutionalism coursed so strongly and emphatically through a decision of the Kenyan Judiciary was on September 1, 2017, when then Chief Justice David Maraga led the Supreme Court in emphatically asserting the authority, independence and rightful role of the Judiciary in the constitutional order. The majority decision of the Supreme Court annulled the August 08, 2017 election of Uhuru Kenyatta as president of the Republic of Kenya in the petition that was brought by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka. The palpable sense of pride and affirmation of the entire Judiciary in the Raila 2017 decision was captured in anecdotes of judicial officers symbol
THE STANDARD
POLITICS
Deputy President William Ruto. [DPPS]
Leaders from across the political divide have reacted to the High Court’s ruling on the nullification of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) process.
A five-judge bench has declared the BBI referendum process unlawful, saying the initiative violated the Constitution of Kenya.
Deputy President William Ruto, who has openly challenged the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2020 since its inception expressed gratitude to a higher power, moments after the shocking ruling.
“There is GOD in heaven who loves Kenya immeasurably. May GOD S name be praised forever,” he tweeted.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, also an ally of DP Ruto quoted a past daily that had headlined the deputy president and wrote: “You don’t have to be in the majority for you to do the right thing!”