Homa Bay County Assembly on today Thursday, 12th February,2021, became the third to pass the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Constitutional Amendment Bill 2020, after Siaya and Kisumu. – By John Mutiso
This comes after most county assemblies countrywide including Nairobi and Kisii embarked on seeking public participation ahead of debate.
The bill was tabled by the Justice and Legal Affairs committee chairperson Ajimba Ayieta on Thursday, February 11, and it was seconded by nominated ward rep Kevin Onyango.
Reports indicated the Members of the county assembly unanimously passed the bill, once again, proving the overwhelming support the handshake support enjoys in ODM Raila Odinga’s strongholds.This development came just days after Raila met thousands of delegates in Kisumu where he urged them to support the BBI.
Twenty four out of the 47 counties, which form two-thirds representation have to vote in favour of the bill before it can be put through a referendum for the larger population of Kenyans to vote and either pass or reject it.
The BBI, if approved, claims to give more resources to the County Governments and will introduce a Ward Development Fund for MCA’s. It also seeks to increase funding for the counties from the current 15 percent to 35 percent.
Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta have intensified campaigns for the BBI report even as Deputy President William Ruto remains defiant, holding parallel meetings to thrash it.