Raila Bows To Pressure, Hints At Amending BBI Report

  ODM leader Raila has hinted that the BBI report might be amended after calls from different stakeholders. 

Upon launching the report, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila maintained that the window for amending the document had closed.  

However, different groups have come out to claim that several clauses in the report should be changed.  

On Monday, Raila stated that some steps need to be taken to put into consideration calls by disgruntled groups to avoid having a highly contested referendum. 

The former Prime Minister stated that the BBI report would be opened up for a final round of revision to factor in reservations and objections raised by various groups. 

Raila made the remarks while meeting a section of pastoralist leaders. 

"The issues will be taken on board. They (pastoralist leaders) will appoint three representatives who will sit down with the technical team to iron out their issues," Raila said. 

The two leaders are expected in the next few days to unveil a framework for the submission of the final views on the BBI report. 

They will also name a national referendum coordinating secretariat to oversee the signature collection process, with booklets already printed. 

"I appreciate having had a robust and candid discussion with leaders from pastoralist communities this morning (Monday). Their views on the BBI process that they expressed support for are welcome and shall be taken into consideration as we formulate the way forward for our nation," Raila added.  

Following Raila's hint, Deputy President welcomed the proposal to amend the document. 

"The petition by pastoralists that covers several areas in BBI is progressive. The public commitment to amend the BBI to include these proposals is a welcome step towards consensus. With this and other petitions accepted, a non-contested discourse is in the horizon," the DP tweeted.