The Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga has lauded the Supreme Court for its delivery of the verdict on BBI.

Raila said he applauded the verdict of the Supreme Court because it upheld the sovereignty of the people of Kenya.

“I wish to applaud the verdict of the Supreme Court today as a much-desired reiteration of the sovereignty of the people of Kenya, particularly in the backdrop of questions surrounding amendments to the Constitution,” Raila said.

The ODM leader who led the campaigns for the BBI said the verdict was emphatic on every state organ subjecting itself to the will of Kenyans and should never usurp their sovereignty.

“The verdict is empathetic that every State organ must always subject itself to the people of Kenya and must never usurp their sovereignty by substituting their will with that of State officers and State organs,” Raila said.

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The former premier said he was pleased that the Chief Justice has started regarding the role of the judiciary in the constitutional order and its relationship with other arms of the government.

He asserted that the time has come for the country to deliberate on the separation of powers between the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. 

Raila also suggested the conversation should also include roles of checks and balances of each arm of the government to enhance governance in Kenya’s constitutional order, void of jeopardy of each arm’s obligations.

“It is time the country has a conversation regarding the separation of powers between the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary and the roles of Checks and Balances of each arm of Government so as to enhance governance in our constitutional order, without jeopardizing the obligation of each arm to deliver to the people of the Republic of Kenya,” he said.

Raila noted the court upheld the BBI process and contents of the bill except for the provisions of the second schedule. 

According to Raila, the Supreme Court only faulted the State’s said role in initiating the BBI process.

“I note that the BBI process has been upheld. I also note that the contents of the bill itself were upheld save for the provisions of the 2nd Schedule. What has been faulted is the role that the State is said to have played at the commencement of the popular initiative,” he said.

Raila said they shall deliberate on the way forward and decide on the next course of action, which will protect the interests of those who supported and voted for the process.

"We will not stop deliberations on the way forward that will decide on a future course of action that protects the interests of all those who voted to see the amendments come to light," Raila said.

The Azimio la Umoja flag-bearer said for the moment they have an election to win.