All eyes on Ruto-allied counties to pass or reject BBI
By evans.maritim, March 1, 2021
Focus has shifted to Members of County Assembly (MCAs) in Deputy President William Ruto’s North Rift stronghold, as they prepare to debate the Building Bridges Initiative (Amendment), Bill that has been rejected in Baringo and Nandi counties.
Ward Reps in Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu and Turkana yesterday maintained the Bill is not a priority to them.
Uasin Gishu County Assembly Speaker David Kiplagat and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Philemon Sabulei, said the assemblies will take time to engage the people before making an informed decision.
“We will not rush the process like other assemblies. We will engage the people before making the final decision,” said Kiplagat.
Sabulei maintained that BBI was not a priority at the moment, as there were more pressing issues, including combating the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nandi County Assembly on Thursday became the second to reject the Bill after Baringo MCAs.
The DP, who made an extensive tour of his North Rift backyard over the weekend, demanded an all-inclusive team in the ongoing BBI debate even as he maintained that said he was not opposed to the constitutional amendment Bill.
“The ongoing BBI debate should not divide the people along political lines. Kenya is a democratic nation and the people should be part of the process to change the Constitution. Let us avoid threats and forcing people to support the process,” he said.
He continued: “Constitution change is a solemn responsibility of every Kenyan, as it is a contract between the people and its leaders.”
Overwhelming support
The BBI Bill has received overwhelming support countrywide with more than 40 counties already endorsing.
Move has been perceived as a big boast to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Handshake partner Raila Odinga, who have been the major proponents of the document.
Leaders allied to the DP have since maintained that the BBI overwhelming has nothing to do with him, as he has never opposed the document.
Keiyo South MP Daniel Rono was categorical that the BBI rejection or endorsement process has nothing to do with the DP.
“The DP has never opposed BBI. He just wanted a people driven process. If anything, he is the biggest beneficiary if the document sails through. There was no contest in anyway,” Rono told People Daily.