Raila commends MCAs for passing BBI Bill in droves

Former Prime Minister and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has commended MCAs for passing the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Bill as today  21 assemblies voted to approve it. 

According to Raila, the country is now closer to the referendum which should be held in June this year, according to BBI Secretariat. 

He made a statement to newsrooms on Tuesday saying the assemblies stood firm despite the propaganda and misinformation that had been peddled around the law change process. 

“County assemblies have been able to push back on a year-long campaign of lies, misinformation and undue influence on a document whose centre piece is ensuring prosperity and equitable sharing of the same,” the ODM leader said.

He added, “I thank the members of those county assemblies and our governors who refused to give in to mistrust, cynicism, brinkmanship and fear mongering and passed the Bill resoundingly.”

According to him, the outcome has confirmed his earlier position that the country is undergoing a constitutional moment.

“As I said during the launch of the collection of signatures on the Bill, I have worked with our people on processes of change like this for a long time. I know for a fact that Kenyans are not slow learners when it comes to recognizing and seizing moments of change. That faith stands reaffirmed and renewed,” Raila said. 

He added that the battle now shifts to the two Houses of Parliament. 

The ODM boss stated, “We are extremely close to giving our people the reforms they need to create a united, inclusive, stable and prosperous nation that also deals decisively with the crime of corruption. I now look forward to working with our two houses of Parliament in the coming weeks as we move confidently towards a referendum.”

On Tuesday, 21 County Assemblies voted to endorse the BBI Bill surpassing the 24 threshold required for it to proceed to the next stage. 33 out of 34 assemblies that have debated the document have approved it so far. 

Baringo is the only county that has rejected the Bill. Others that have approved it include Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Busia, Kakamega, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Vihiga, West Pokot, Nakuru, Nairobi, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Kiambu counties.

Meru, Nyamira, Narok, Kajiado, Taita Taveta, Kitui, Makueni, Lamu, Mombasa, Kwale, Garissa, Machakos, Muranga, Samburu, Marsabit and Kisii counties have also approved the Bill.