ODM leader Raila Odinga, who jointly with President Uhuru Kenyatta were the key promoters of the push to amend the Constitution, yesterday welcomed the Appeal Court’s decision which found the initiative as unconstitutional.

Mr Odinga described the judgment as “remarkable as it forms part of the continuing conversation on the future of this country and the significance of the new Constitution”.

According to the former prime minister, who had identified himself with constitutional change, the next move will be decided separately by the proponents of the BBI. But he indicated that there are no plans to move to the Supreme Court.

“It is not likely that this is not the end of the conversation and the parties involved will each make their own decisions on how to proceed from the decision that has been delivered. That is welcome, as the issues involved need to be deliberated upon to the fullest extent,” he said in a statement to the newsrooms.

“For us, as we have started before, we shall engage only to the extent that circumstances will require. But we feel that we have to move on.”

The ODM leader said it is now time to focus on the challenges facing the country, noting that the BBI was not a destination “but a journey in an ever-evolving way of life.”

“Kenya will go on. BBI intended well but we must respect the Constitutional authority of the courts and find other legitimate means to achieve Kenya’s unity and prosperity. And for some of us, it is time for serious introspection on the political way forward,” said Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.

The One Kenya Alliance leaders said there was no need to further challenge the judgment, arguing that it was time for the country to focus on the coronavirus crisis and recovery of the economy.

The OKA principals, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi, Ford-Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula and Kanu’s Gideon Moi, said as they respected the judgment.

From the beginning, Deputy President William Ruto said God had stopped what he termed as “coalition of the known” while viewing it as a major win to his Hustler nation. He said the focus now will be building the economy through his bottom-up model.