McCauley Wycliff
Member
The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) has made the first step towards victory after Siaya County became the first county to approve it.
The County Assembly passed the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday, February 3, which will pave the way for BBI referendum.
Siaya County Assembly Speaker George Okode confirmed the outcome noting that he was getting ready to forward the results to the National Assembly.
The referendum is expected to be carried out anytime beginning April 2021.
The document, backed by both President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has attracted opposition with those opposing it castigating the recent move by Uhuru to issue car loan grants to MCAs as a bribe intended to win their support.
Uhuru pledged to help Members of the County Assembly achieve their demands for a Ksh 2 million car grant each during a meeting with MCAs from Mt Kenya on Friday, January 30.
His assurance was welcomed by the legislators who in turn promised to support the Building Bridges.
During his addresses on Tuesday, February 2, Raila threw his weight behind Uhuru's promise of car grants to the legislators.
He argued that the MCAs deserved the grants because they came face to face with the people in their wards under their capacities as lowest-level representatives.
“The President has already made his promise and I want to assure you that he will not go against it. It is a guarantee,” stated Raila.
Kenyans were, however, anchored by the state's choice to offer MCAs car grants likely to total to Ksh4.5 billion, an amount most people feel could be used to improve health sector.
The documents must sail through at least 24 county assemblies before it can be greenlighted for a referendum