A new survey by TIFA Research has shown that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) would fail to sail through if a referendum was to be held today, backing a leaked letter that Murang’a senator Irung’u Kang’ata sent to President Kenyatta.
In the report, TIFA revealed that 32 percent of Kenyans would oppose the recommendations to change the constitution, 29 percent would vote yes while 16 percent are still undivided.
19 percent of those who would vote Yes indicated that they wanted more money given to counties while 15 percent who voted Yes stated that the proposed positions of Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister would help with inclusivity in the country.
5 percent of those who voted Yes indicated that they support the creation of an official leader of the opposition for runners-up while 40 percent gave no specific reason why they were voting to pass the referendum.
On the other hand, 32 percent of those who would vote against BBI indicated that they didn’t have enough information on the proposal while 20 percent believe it is not a priority amidst other challenges the country is facing.
9 percent of those who would vote No said that it was increasing political tensions and divisions while 6 percent said increasing political power of the presidency is a threat to democracy.
68 percent of those who are undecided lack sufficient information about the BBI proposal while 10 percent believe the process will be rigged to ensure it is passed.
TIFA clarified that the report was conducted several weeks before Kangata’s leaked letter became public.
Senate Majority Chief Whip Irungu Kang’ata has since acknowledged that the letter he addressed to President Uhuru Kenyatta was legit confirming that he authored it.
However, he denied leaking it to the media.
“Kindly though, the letter dated December 30 (2020) is authentic. I didn’t give it to the media. Someone else who had been copied did. I apologize for that.
“With the benefit of hindsight, I should have copied no one else. Trust substantive issues raised in the letter will be remedied,” he tweeted on Monday, January 4.