• Uhuru said propaganda was spread that I wanted to continue being in power and most people believed the theory
Image: PSCU
President Uhuru Kenyatta has said the collapsed BBI was meant to bring change and not extend his stay in office as claimed by its antagonists.
Speaking to vernacular TV and Radio stations Sunday night, Uhuru said the reports that the BBI was meant to make him continue ruling were false.
"My aim was not to continue being in power, I only wanted change for people but then propaganda was spread that I wanted to continue being in power and most people believed the theory, " he said.
The interview was broadcast live from State House.
Uhuru publicly defended BBI noting that the initiative was meant to put more money in the pockets of the common wananchi.
"Where did we go wrong when Raila and I came up with the BBI? As we have previously said, we want government money to go into the pockets of the citizen and not be distributed to cows, goats and sand," he said.
The President said some of those who opposed the document, including Deputy President William Ruto, were involved in drafting it.
"When we were crafting the BBI, they (DP Ruto and his allies) were involved," Uhuru added.
On May 14, 2021, five High Court judges blocked government's plan to make fundamental changes to the Constitution by terming the Building Bridges Initiative saying it was irregular, illegal and unconstitutional.
BBI drafters appealed the decision but the Appellate court upheld the lower court's ruling.
On March 31, 2022, the Supreme Court also agreed with the judgment of the two courts that the document was null and void.
In a majority judgment, the apex court said the change the constitution document was initiated by Uhuru against the Constitutional provision which exclusively reserves the process for ordinary citizens.
More to follow...