Disappointed Raila faults court ruling on BBI, says an appeal will follow

By , K24 Digital
On Sat, 15 May, 2021 18:01 | < 1 min read
ODM leader leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta holding the BBI document. PHOTO/PSCU

ODM leader Raila Odinga says he is disappointed following a High Court ruling that declared the Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2020, null and void.

In a press statement he released to newsrooms on Saturday, the ODM leader urges BBI supporters to maintain calm adding that the Judiciary should be respected.

Raila has also asked BBI proponents to stop attacking the High Court and making a commentary on the ruling.

"I want to urge that we restrain from personalized attacks on the court and its members. We may disagree with the court but we must respect its ruling and its freedom to exercise its judgment as it understands the legal and constitutional matters before it," he said

The ODM leader, whose Handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta resulted in the formation of the BBI task force that birthed the referendum bill, says they will appeal the decision.

He, however, says the ultimate goal in the whole process should be to strengthen the Judiciary rather than weakening it through unnecessary criticism.

"We will calmly and respectfully move to the Court of Appeal to present our case as to why we think the High Court did not render the right verdict. We will do so with sobriety and with respect for our judges and courts" he said.

His sentiments come two days after the High Court dismissed the BBI referendum and declared it null and void.

The High Court ruled that crucial process were flawed rendering the whole exercise null and void.

The court further issued a permanent injunction to the IEBC directing it not to take any further step in amending the constitution.