ODM appeals to Kenyans to take Covid-19 jab, maintains the party is in full support of ‘handshake and BBI’
By Mourice Seretta
Today, Wednesday 3rd March 2021, Raila Odinga met with the leadership of the Orange Democratic Movement to review critical developments in the country.
In a statement, Raila says they had a specific focus on the ongoing vaccination campaign and containment measures against COVID-19, the state of the economy and its impact on Kenyans and political developments in the country.
In the meeting were Senate Minority Whip Hon James Orengo, ODM chairman Hon John Mbadi, National Assembly Minority Whip Hon Junet Mohammed, Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Treasurer Hon Timothy Bosire and Hon Gladys Wanga who is a member of the top leadership of ODM.
The statement says the meeting reaffirmed ODM’s commitment to the spirit of the Handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta that has created an environment of peace and stability required to address the pressing issues facing the country.
“We tasked the party and our supporters to continue showing this commitment to the handshake and its wider national goals in word and deed, in the interest of the nation. We also reaffirmed ODM’s unwavering commitment to the Building Bridges Initiative and the constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill that is a product of the BBI process.” The statement read.
The meeting resolved that in the spirit of the Handshake and the wider goals of the BBI Amendment Bill, there was need for Parliament to fast track the process and release the document to the public to enable the people of Kenya to have a final say on the envisaged changes to the constitution via a referendum.
“We agreed that the BBI must be subjected to a referendum because it entails a fundamental reorganization of the architecture of the Executive and Kenyans need to have a say in the reorganization. The party therefore fully supports a referendum on the document.” It further stated.
In the meantime, as they go through the fundamental processes, they appealed to the public to continue adhering to the health protocols meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the country.
They also appealed to the public to go for vaccination.
“We committed to engage the government with a view to coming up with ways and means to cushion the people from the ravages of the economy especially during these times of lockdown.” The statement concluded.
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