Suna East Mp Junet Mohamed has welcomed the verdict of the BBI appeal rendered by the Supreme Court of Kenya.
The court ruled that the initiative was unconstitutional and that due process was not followed by its promoters.
In a statement after the ruling, Junet acknowledged the fact that the court agreed with a number of issues that the appellants rose, and also disagreed with a number of them.
“The judgment affirms our belief in the rule of law and constitutionalism. It also demonstrates the maturity in our democracy,” Junet said.
He added the ruling will serve as a good lesson to future generations.
“More importantly, there now exists judicial clarity on how to amend the constitution.”
The MP, who is a close ally of the ODM leader Raila Odinga further said that they agreed with the ruling.
Raila also welcomed the judgment, saying that the country must move forward.
"I wish to applaud the verdict, particularly in the background of questions surrounding amendments to the constitution," Raila said.
However, Raila pointed out that the apex court upheld all provisions of the initiative save for the part where the state was faulted for participating in a citizen-centred process.
"I note that the BBI process has been upheld. What has been faulted is the role that the State is said to have played at the commencement of the popular initiative."
While delivering their ruling, all the seven judges of the Supreme Court except justices Njoki Ndung'u and Isaac Lenaola held that the president cannot initiate a popular initiative.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila were the initiators of the constitutional change process and not the people, the court affirmed.
