Counties integral yet sidelined in BBI push: Embu speaker
This file photo shows Deputy President William Ruto (right) with Embu Speaker Josiah Thiriku (left) and Kirimari Ward Representative Morris Muchiri Nyaga (centre) during a meeting at the DP's Karen residence in Nairobi. PHOTO | REBECCA NDUKU | DPPS
What you need to know:
- Embu Speaker Josiah Thiriku said on Saturday that MCAs have been left out of events that led to grand public rallies aimed at popularising the BBI.
- The rallies, which have featured Kenya's top politicians, have taken place in Kisii, Kakamega and Mombasa counties so far.
- The speaker further said the public needs consistent sensitisation on contents of the BBI report which cannot be achieved through a single meeting in a county.
- However, Mr Thiriku welcomed the BBI team to Embu on February 2, assuring of "wholehearted and overwhelming support" from MCAs and their electorate.
County assemblies are key pillars in the push for constitutional change yet organisers of BBI rallies have sidelined members, a speaker has said.
Embu's Josiah Thiriku said on Saturday that MCAs have been left out of events that led to grand public rallies aimed at popularising the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
The rallies, which have featured Kenya's top politicians, have taken place in Kisii, Kakamega and Mombasa counties so far.
The key figures in the push are President Uhuru Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga, who birthed the BBI after their March 9, 2018 handshake, whose primary goals are national healing, reconciliation and development.
"EXPERT MOBILISERS"
Speaker Thiriku said ward representatives should be empowered to sell the BBI to the people.
During a media briefing in his office, he gave reasons why grassroots campaigns are better than one-off mega rallies in selected towns in each of the 47 counties.
MCAs are largely in support of the BBI, he said, adding that they can become the initiative's "expert mobilisers".
He said the ward reps can reach more people because they interact with them at the grassroots level daily through meetings.
He also said they will be more committed as they will own the initiative.
CONSISTENCY
The speaker further said the public needs consistent sensitisation on the contents of the BBI report which, he added, cannot be achieved through a single meeting in a county.
He declared the BBI message safest in MCAs' hands, noting that they remain behind with the people when politicians leave after the rallies.
Mr Thiriku further noted the need to uphold the principle of inclusivity, a key rallying call of the push for constitutional amendments, by involving all leaders in propagating proposals.
EMBU SUPPORT
However, Mr Thiriku welcomed the BBI team to Embu on February 2, assuring of "wholehearted and overwhelming support" from MCAs and their electorate.
He distanced himself from Jubilee Party's Tangatanga and Kieleweke factions, saying Embu's agenda is for the people to embrace the BBI.
The speaker said residents do not want the bickering that has made headlines recently.
He noted that supporters of both factions in the county are united on the initiative.
