Editor's Review

Murang'a Senator Irungu Kang'ata was called out by fellow legislators as the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) deliberated on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

Muranga Senator Irungu Kang'ata was put on the spot by fellow lawmakers who constitute the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) which is deliberating on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

The Constitutional Amendment Bill 2020 risks being derailed after it emerged that there are about three formats of the bill and a majority, 34, counties debated and approved the wrong format.

Out of the total 27 JLAC members, Kang'ata is the only one who failed to give his signature to verify the document. JLAC comprises 19 MPs and 9 Senators.

"As you can see, we represent the whole committee. The report we are forwarding is approved by the two committees. Senator Kang'ata is the only one who did not agree with the approval and decided to abstain. We do not know what his feelings are at the moment. 

"All others have approved the report and the bill and we have our recommendations and observations. The speakers will guide the debate when both houses resume. Therefore, those reporting that the BBI has failed should be aware that problems arise, but that does not necessarily mean that we are having any disagreements," National Assembly JLAC Chair Kigano Muturi assured.

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He, however, did not disclose why Kang'ata abstained.

Senate JLAC committee Chairman, Okongo Omogeni added that they had collectively agreed on the contents of the report presented.

"I want to allay the rumours and clarify that we do not have saboteurs within the committee. All of us are proponents. The errors noted in the bills were typing and not factual errors," Omogeni stated.

"We have had an amicable but challenging task. I have signed the report and so has Otiende Amollo. It will be taken to the plenary and then the referendum," Siaya Senator James Orengo added.

While serving as Senate Majority Whip, Kang'ata wrote to President Uhuru Kenyatta advising him that the BBI was unpopular in Mount Kenya.

His letter caused mixed reactions amongst the president's camp.