Raila Odinga Advocates for Constitutional Review After National Dialogue Amid Gen Z Concerns
Azimio leader Raila Odinga asserts that the upcoming national dialogue on issues highlighted by Gen Z may lead to a constitutional review.
The opposition chief emphasized the necessity for the country to reexamine the 2010 Constitution to address existing flaws.
Raila believes that revisiting and potentially amending the Constitution could foster national progress.
The ODM leader mentioned that although Kenyans provided thorough feedback during the initial review, their input was ultimately compromised.
“Kenyans convened at the Bomas of Kenya, engaged in extensive deliberations, and crafted a forward-thinking constitution. However, this constitution was significantly altered during the Naivasha process,” Raila stated.
“We need to revisit the Bomas draft constitution, reassess it, and determine what needs to be refined for a truly progressive constitution.”
Raila made these remarks in Alego Usonga during Lawyer Evans Orwenjo’s burial on Saturday.
He highlighted the importance of incorporating Gen Z’s concerns with political parties’ proposals to shape Kenya’s future.
The ODM leader outlined the party’s vision for the dialogue’s agenda.
He noted that the grievances raised by young protesters, such as corruption, unemployment, high living costs, debt management, and discrimination, align with ODM’s longstanding issues.
The Bomas draft emerged from the Constitution of Kenya Review Act of 1997 under President Daniel Moi’s administration.
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It proposed a bicameral legislature with a Senate and National Assembly sharing similar powers.
The executive was to be led by a premier from the majority party in Parliament.
However, then-President Kibaki opposed it, seeing it as a challenge to the status quo.
Following the 2007/2008 post-election crisis, a Committee of Experts was formed to merge previous drafts into a new constitution.
In 2009, this Committee presented a Harmonised Draft Constitution, heavily inspired by the Bomas Draft.
Yet, politicians again dismantled this draft.
The Harmonised Draft Constitution underwent public debate but was heavily politicized.
Despite this, the resulting Revised Harmonised Draft Constitution retained most of its key features.
Significant alterations occurred in Naivasha, where the Parliamentary Select Committee led by Abdikadir Mohammed reduced it to a version resembling the rejected Wako Draft.
Raila Odinga Advocates for Constitutional Review After National Dialogue Amid Gen Z Concerns
