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Hillary Mageka @hillarymageka

The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Secretariat yesterday exuded confidence, that at least 35 county assemblies will pass the BBI bill by end of this month.

“We are on course to hold the referendum by June 2021. We have already started engaging with the leadership of both Houses of Parliament, in anticipation of the next stage,” said the Secretariat co-chairman Dennis Waweru.

He added: “We are confident of obtaining approval from at least 35 counties, way above the constitutional threshold of 24.”

Waweru noted that though the High Court blocked the electoral body, from subjecting the bill to a referendum, it allowed the county assemblies to debate the bill and either approve or reject it.

He explained that the Secretariat, had embarked on a robust civic education,  as more Kenyans begin to appreciate its benefits: “We are encouraged by the growing support for the BBI process.”  

Siaya, Kisumu and Homa Bay already passed the bill.

 Meanwhile, the Jubilee party has rallied its MCAs across the country to rally their support for the bill.

In a letter addressed to all MCAs, the party Secretary General Raphael Tuju said if the constitution is amended as proposed by BBI more 35 per cent of the national resources will be channeled to counties.

But in a quick rejoinder, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto, asked all Jubilee MCAs to ignore “these Pangani based charlatans.”