Build consensus on BBI report, urges Mudavadi
Winstone Chiseremi, Robert Ochoro and Oliver Musembi
Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi yesterday called for consensus among leaders before the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report is subjected to a referendum.
Speaking in Uasin Gishu county, he warned that without consensus among the politicians, the report will cause unnecessary division and tension in the country.
“Let us built consensus around the BBI report before the document is subjected to a referendum so that we can have a better outcome of the report that will be acceptable to all Kenyans,” he said.
Mudavadi was speaking during a funds drive in aid of International Vision Church in Eldoret town. He was accompanied by Lurambi MP Titus Khamala, party chairman Kevin Lunani among other leaders.
He cautioned the political class against hurrying the implementation of the report before giving Kenyans enough time to read and understand the contents of the document.
“Let ordinary citizens be given enough time to go through the report and understand its contents before making an informed decision on what to amend and not amend,” added the former deputy premier.
The ANC leader decried the deteriorating state of the economy that has resulted in high unemployment among the youth, which he described as a time bomb waiting to explode.
“What is ailing our country currently is bad economy and that is why we have so many youths who are unemployed. Unless the government moves with speed to fix the problem, then we are heading in the wrong direction,” he said.
Foster development
He accused the Jubilee administration of over borrowing, which he said was putting the country in bad state.
He also hit out at some governors for involving themselves in corrupt activities that have led to loss of public funds and stalling of projects.
Meanwhile, leaders from Kisii, Migori and Nyamira counties have urged the government to disburse funds to counties on time and support initiation of a ward development fund to enhance devolution.
Addressing the press in Kisii town, they lauded the recommendation by the BBI taskforce that called for the establishment of the fund, stressing once implemented, it will foster development at the grassroots.
Led by Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, they said some recommendations in the report can either be addressed through Parliament, referendum or policies and urged the government to make copies available to members of the public.
“We want all Kenyans to read the report and make an informed decision,” he said.
Elsewhere, a cleric has vowed to drum up support for the BBI report which, he said, heralds a new dawn for Kenya.
Bishop David Ngari of the Calvary Chosen Centre in Thika said the church, through Covenant Clergy Alliance, which he leads, will launch a civic education drive to enlighten members of the public on the contents of the report.
“The document will ensure a new dawn in Kenya as it proposes to unite the country and deal with negative ethnicity,” he said and added that the report should be ratified by the people and not Parliament.
