Uhuru, Raila lead political party leaders in congratulating counties for passing BBI Bill

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday hosted a section of political party leaders at State House, Nairobi where they issued a joint statement expressing their gratitude to the County Assemblies that supported the BBI Bill.

The leaders including Raila Odinga (ODM), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Gideon Moi (KANU), Charity Ngilu (Narc) and Moses Wetangula (Ford Kenya) called on all Kenyans to support the initiative, saying it will go along in addressing longstanding issues affecting the country.

“Today, on behalf of a grateful nation, we convey our immense gratitude to all our County Assemblies for their monumental support for this Popular Initiative. Their bold action sets the foundation upon which Kenya shall advance inter-generational equity, realize gender parity, guarantee equal opportunities for all, and give each Kenyan a bigger slice of our shared prosperity,” stated the joint statement read by Gideon Moi.

So far the BBI Bill has been approved by 42 out of the 47 counties with only two assemblies — Baringo and Nandi — rejecting it.

The political leaders promised to embark on civic education to sensitize the public on the gains of the Building Bridges Initiave (BBI).

“As we embark on the next stage in realizing the First Amendment, we urge all Kenyans to build on our renewed unity and greater political consensus for the enduring benefit of the nation we all hold dear. BBI represents a once-in-a-generation break from the past; to resolve many longstanding national challenges that hold us back from realizing a united and prosperous Kenya for all,” they stated.

“To ensure the voice of every Kenyan is heard and to enable every one of us to exercise their civic duty, we will undertake civic education to sensitize the entire Kenyan nation on the opportunities that lie for our homeland and nation as part of this initiative.”

The political party leaders behind the BBI are set to hold a joint consultative meeting on March 9, 2021, involving Members of Parliament and Counties leadership.

“As our County Representatives have shown, now is the moment for all Kenyans to put aside partisan divides and come together to build a better Kenya; for ourselves, our children, and for generations of Kenyans yet to be born,” concluded the statement.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Muturi and his Senate counterpart Ken Lusaka have communicated that the Bill will be tabled in the two Houses of Parliament next week.