Building Bridges Initiative bill passes Kenya’s County Assemblies

Kenya is firmly on the road to a referendum on the new constitution after more than 24 County assemblies passed the Constitution Amendment Bill paving the way for the mini plebiscite, a key agreement of the political truce between President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Popularly known in Kenya as the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), the bill will reintroduce the position of the Prime Minister, two deputies and increase the number of parliamentary seats.

It has been a day of political high stakes and excitement in Odinga’s Political camp. By mid-afternoon, when it became clear that the country was headed for a referendum, Odinga tweeted “Super Tuesday.”

SUPER TUESDAY!!!

— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) February 23, 2021

He later put out a statement, “We are close to giving our people the reforms they need to create a united, inclusive, stable and prosperous nation.”

Odinga noted that the country is moving towards a referendum.

While both Kenyatta and Odinga have touted law reforms as crucial to uniting the country, Deputy President William Ruto has seen the reforms which come as the country prepares for Kenyatta’s succession as a way of edging him out of the presidential race and a boost to Odinga’s chances.

My statement on the passage of the BBI Bill in County Assemblies. #BBISuperTuesday pic.twitter.com/cDSHTrQq8D

— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) February 23, 2021