BBI: the citizen stand over it as Kenya gears towards the referendum

Immediately after the approval of the BBI signature by the IEBC the ball was rolled to the county assemblies whereby a third of  the county assemblies were required to pass the constitutional amendment 2020 bill before it will be taken to the national chambers and the senate for debate and voting.

From the grassroots level, a majority of counties passed the BBI bill with only one county – Baringo, rejecting it. The minimum threshold has been attained with the amendment Bill seeing a massive support from more than 30 county assemblies while not all counties have voted yet.

Despite the massive support the Bill has received from the county assemblies the common citizenry maintain their stand that they will vote NO if and when the referendum is held even today as they assert that the Constitutional amendment Bill 2020 has been accorded the massive executive support.

“We know the members of the county government of Kilifi will pass the bill even if the public will not approve it during the public participation but let them know that if they go to the referendum we will vote NO they are being controlled by their ODM boss.” Edward Saro, Kaloleni Parliamentary seat aspirant articulated.

According to the Mwananchi, the government is doing everything within its power to see the Bill succeed but the only way to shoot it down is at the ballot box which is due in ten months time.

Although the choice of support or no support for the referendum is divided, some citizens do not have trust in the document as they perceive it as a hot nail on a wound. Kenya which is currently facing a crippling economy, overwhelming debt burden and the huge and growing expenses that will emerge as a result of an expanded executive is just one of the major reasons of concern. Also, there is a growing support for the document with recent change of stand for the Makueni and Machokos governors moving to the pro BBI team.

At the moment what ails the netizen is the fact that they neither have trust in the national assembly nor the senate as they are also going to pass it just like the way the county assemblies did.

“We don’t have trust in our national representatives and those in the senate any more. We know they will also be given something to sail it through.” one of an agitated citizen posted.

Based on the statistics in the public domain and analysis from different political analysts the only way out is the referendum for the citizen to decide whether to accept or reject the constitutional amendment bill 2020.

Currently the numbers of county assemblies that have accepted the BBI constitutional amendment 2020 bill are Siaya,Homa Bay,Kisumu, Busia ,West Pokot,Trans Nzoia,Kajiado, Kisii, Vihiga, Laikipia, samburu, kakamega,Narok, Mombasa, Makueni, Nakuru, Taita taveta, Nyamira, Bungoma, Kitui, machakos, Murang’a, Lamu, Kirinyaga, Garissa, Nyandarua, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Nyeri, Migori, Bomet, Kiambu, Isiolo, Embu, Tana River and Kwale.

Following the enormous support of Bill, the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga through his twitter account appreciated the governors and members of county assembly to make it a success. “I thank our governors and members of county assembly who refused to give in to mistrust, cynicism and fear mongering and passed the Bill re-soundly”. He further stated his belief in the people of Kenya that they are not slow learners to recognise the moment of change. “ I know for a fact that Kenyan are not slow learners when it comes to recognising and seizing moments of change.” Part of his statement read.