Laikipia County Deputy Governor John Mwaniki has defended civil servants participating in the collection of signatures for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
Speaking at Kalalu trading center in Umande ward on Monday where he launched the process of collecting signatures from the public, Mwaniki noted that the process was constitutional and that everybody should be on board and that it was not a political one.
“Civil servants like chiefs and County Commissioners are Kenyans entitled to have a say in constitutional changes. In any case, even the religious, civil societies and the political class are involved. There should be no monopoly of who would be involved in the process” said Mwaniki.
He said those opposed to civil servants getting involved are being used as agents of doom and evil and want to ensure the country continues existing in chaos so that they can benefit.
The Deputy governor sentiments came in the wake of an outcry from a section of politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto who queried the involvement of County Commissioners, their deputies, and chiefs in mobilizing Kenyans to append signatures on the document to pave way for constitutional changes.
The politicians argued that the process was a political affair and that public servants should keep off politics.
Mwaniki said if it was a political party manifesto being supported, it would be a different affair but it was constitutional process.
He noted that with the amendment of the constitution, young and qualified people have a chance to vie for political positions like Members of the County Assembly and appointed to the county cabinet.
The former Laikipia County Secretary said constitutions all over the world are amended from time to time and Kenya’s was not an exceptional.
He at the same time hit out at former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and NARC-Kenya party leader Martha Karua for insinuating that the amendments were illegal, saying the people of Kenya gave their input to the Yusuf Haji-led task force.
Mwaniki urged Kenyans to read the report and understand for themselves or find trusted people who can read on their behalf before making an informed decision.
By Martin Munyi
