Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi now says Kenyans are ready for referendum after the BBI bill got the nod of Parliament.
Speaking during the annual MEDA Iftar dinner and Fundraising held at the Dream of Africa resort in Malindi he told residents to get prepared for a referendum and also hailed MPs for passing the bill. He said the bill has now given leeway for the public to get prepared for the much-awaited referendum.
“I think all of us saw what parliament did with the BBI. The August house has done its mandate and I would like to thank the MPs from Kilifi county for voting the for the BBI,” he said.
As Kilifi leaders, he said they will sit down and talk so as to ensure when the referendum is declared everybody in the county is in the frontline to vote for the BBI.
The Governor said in the BBI Kilifi shall get four new constituencies which will be established in the county and shall ensure that they come up with proper structures of boundaries of the new constituencies. He called on all political, religious, and community leaders to come together and dialogue instead of leaving the issue to the IEBC alone to decide.
The Governor said in the previous boundary reviews there were mistakes done in Malindi and Magarini as the constituency’s boundary was set up within the Malindi town. The constituency boundary between Malindi and Magarini are at Absa bank which is right at the heart of Malindi town.
“Malindi town is one but was divided into two, half of it is in Magarini and the other half is in Malindi your child and wife could be living in Magarini constituency while you live in Malindi constituency we want to rectify all that,’’ he said.
Kilifi county government gave out a contribution of Sh1 million during the fundraising which raised over Sh5 million.
Those present in the Iftar dinner included Suleiman Shahbal who was the chief guest representing Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi, Director of Public Prosecution Nurdin Haji, EACC boss Twalib Mbarak, Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo, Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, and senior Muslim scholars.
Renowned Kenyan Lawyer George Kithi who is from Kilifi was also, present and called on residents and leaders to support BBI when the referendum is declared.
Mr Kithi who is eyeing for the senatorial seat in Kilifi said even though there were pertinent issues in the BBI but as Kilifi residents they should support it for adding four new constituencies which will help bring services closer to wananchi.
“The county will open up more due to the additional representation which is a positive move there are many issues in the BBI which are still questionable but if we view the wisdom of BBI compared with the shortcomings existing proves that there cannot be constitutional amendments that can be fulfilling 100 percent,” he said.
He said for the few changes that the community will benefit from there is a need for the BBI to be supported. “There is a need for Kilifi residents and the Coast region at large to support the BBI so as to bring resources of government closer to wananchi,” he said.
