This archive report was first published on 15 May 2021.
On May 13, 2021, a five-judge bench High Court declared the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) referendum Bill null and void, effectively bringing the process to a halt.
Justices Joel Ngugi, George Odunga, Jairus Ngaah, Teresia Matheka, and Chacha Mwita issued a permanent injunction to the IEBC from making processes regarding the amendment of the constitution.
Deputy President William Ruto had not publicly opposed or endorsed the amendments, despite his close allies dismissing the change of constitution.
However, the DP had proposed the need for Kenyans to be given the chance to vote on specific issues rather than a YES or NO option on the referendum during the launch of the BBI report at Bomas of Kenya.
His proposals were not considered, but the High Court ruling somewhat vindicated the DP as the BBI process was ruled unprocedural and illegal.
"One may like or not like the Deputy President @WilliamsRuto. One may not be on the same side as he is. But on this BBI matter, history will judge him kindly. His position has affirmed the 2010 Constitution which originally he did not," Governor Kivutha Kibwana wrote on Twitter.
