WILL REVISIT NEXT YEAR

Raila: We shall not go to Supreme Court over BBI

ODM leader says they'll revisit the BBI when they form the next government next year.

In Summary

• The ODM leader said they will revisit the BBI when they form the next government next year.

• The opposition chief said they will not move to the Supreme Court to challenge an unfavourable ruling but will instead concentrate on preparing for the 2022 elections.

ODM leader Raila Odinga makes his speech during a tour of Nakuru County on August 18, 2021.
ODM leader Raila Odinga makes his speech during a tour of Nakuru County on August 18, 2021.
Image: TWITTER/RAILA ODINGA

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has ruled out appealing the decision of the High Court on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) in case of an unfavourable verdict.

The opposition chief said they will not move to the Supreme Court to challenge an unfavourable ruling but will instead concentrate on preparing for the 2022 elections.

Speaking during a popular morning show on Nam Lolwe FM Wednesday, the ODM leader said they will revisit the BBI when they form the next government next year.

He said BBI has more benefits to Kenyans and will not be discarded just because the courts rule against it.

"If they stop BBI, we shall leave it at that and start preparing for elections," Raila said.

"We shall bring it back in the new government. We don't want to waste time going to the Supreme Court."

The ODM boss also dismissed claims that they are planning a Parliamentary initiative to sneak in some of the BBI proposals.

The High Court will on Friday render its verdict on the law change proposal.

On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal said the judgement will be read by the seven judges in open court.

However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, only 16 lawyers will be allowed in the court while the rest will follow proceedings online.

Court of Appeal Deputy Registrar Lorraine Ogombe says each side should select 8 lawyers who will be in court.

The parties have until the end of Wednesday to choose and forward the names of the 16 lawyers to the court.

This comes a week after lawyer Evans Ogada wrote to the court asking for the judgement to be delivered in open court due to public interest.

The seven-judge bench made up of Court of Appeal President Daniel Musinga, Justices Hannah Okwengu, Patrick Kiage, Fatuma Sichale, Gatembu Kairu, Roselyne Nambuye and Francis Tuiyot have been on a 50 -day retreat writing the ruling to be delivered on Friday.

A five-judge bench in the High Court comprising of Justices Ngugi, Odunga, Ngaah and Matheka, Mwita declared the BBI process to amend the 2010 Constitution as unconstitutional, null and void.

Edited by D Tarus

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