Bipartisan Talks: Jubilee Resurrects BBI Ideas
Monday, the faction of the Jubilee Party commanded by the embattled Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni submitted a document to the National Dialogue Committee outlining its concerns.
During a public participation forum, the political organization presented issues that nearly mirrored the provisions of the court-stricken Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
Priority number one for the Jubilee Party is the ‘One Man One Shilling’ call, which President William Ruto has successfully prevented Mt Kenya politicians from advancing due to the political headache that could result, including protests from marginalized areas in Kenya that would lose out if the proposal were implemented.
Before the BBI was rejected, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Azimio leader Raila Odinga advocated vehemently for the proposal, arguing that it would ensure that every region in Kenya received its equitable share of the national pie.
The former ruling party has also requested a review of electoral boundaries, which was also included in the final draft of the BBI.
The team stated that no constituency should be eliminated in subsequent boundary revisions as part of the boundary review.
Jubilee is also supporting the BBI’s plan to establish additional constitutional offices.
In addition to echoing the BBI’s proposals, the party requested that the National Dialogue Committee discuss the plight of marginalized groups and communities in the nation.
The party has also demanded an end to the government’s harassment of politicians with opposing views, arbitrary arrests, and the trend of politicians being charged with frivolous offenses.
After Jubilee and other groups presented their petitions, the co-chair of the National Dialogue Committee, Kalonzo Musyoka, urged other Kenyans with concerns to present them to the Bomas.
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“As of yesterday, the National Dialogue Committee – through the Technical Committee – has received 142 Memorandas from stakeholders. We continue to be impressed by the level of public participation in the Bipartisan talks,” the former Vice President stated.
“We urge our fellow Kenyans to continue submitting their Memorandas so that every idea, concern, or suggestion is included in the framed agendas.”
Even as this is occurring, the party is the subject of an acrimonious dispute between two factions claiming legal ownership. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni are in charge of one faction.
The other is commanded by East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) member Kanini Kega and former Murang’a Woman Representative Sabrina Chege, both of whom have pledged their allegiance to Kenya Kwanza.
Kioni and his team now want the committee to implement a framework that will prevent Kenya Kwanza from seizing control of their party.
The committee has ten members from Kenya Kwanza and Azimio and is co-chaired by Kalonzo Musyoka and Kimani Ichung’wah, the majority leader of the National Assembly.
Bipartisan Talks: Jubilee Resurrects BBI Ideas
