Raila says BBI will escalate development in counties, help marginalized regions

ODM leader Raila Odinga says BBI changes will escalate development in counties and help marginalized regions catch up with other counties.

Odinga was speaking on Friday in Turkana County where he led BBI popularization campaigns calling on locals to back the proposed changes should the vote get to a referendum.

The ODM leader’s 3-day charm offensive of Turkana County began in Lodwar where he held meetings with youth and women, and later addressed a BBI rally.

He dissected the BBI proposals to Turkana locals saying marginalized counties, Turkana, included stand to benefit following the proposed increment on shareable revenue from 15 to 35 percent.

“Currently here in Turkana you receive Ksh.10 billion of the shareable revenue. If the BBI passes, you will receive Ksh.20 billion. Is that not a good thing,” posed Raila.

To court MCAs in Turkana County, the former premier maintained that the proposed introduction of a 5 percent ward fund will be a game changer.

“That 5% is money that will go to the wards to be used in projects that will benefit women and the youth,” said Odinga.

Speaking at the same rally, Odinga’s allies led by Junet Mohamed and Maina Kamanda toldoff Deputy President William Ruto and his brand of politics.

“Kama siyo Raila alikuja akaungana na Uhuru, huyo jamaa hata angekuwa ashamtoa rais wetu,” said Kamanda.

“Mtu gani anataka kuwa rais anaambia wazazi wamesomesha watoto eti atawapatia wheelbarrow,” added Junet.

Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok dropped Odinga’s ODM Party and opted for Ruto’s wheelbarrow. Petroleum CS John Munyes in the company of Odinga re-affirmed that the region was behind the BBI.

Odinga’s convoy heads to Kakuma on Saturday in its second day of the tour of Turkana County.