You won’t regret supporting BBI: Gideon to youths

Baringo Senator and Kanu chairman Gideon Moi has said the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) is a game changer in terms of addressing issues affecting the country.

Gideon said the document was diligently drafted to address issues that have perennially affected the country, especially the youth who form the bulk of the population.

“BBI has seven items that aptly capture and address aspirations of the youth. In Elgeyo Marakwet County, for instance, youths will benefit from over Sh4 billion from different avenues, especially tenders,” he said.

He asked the youth to back the document because they are the biggest beneficiaries.

“The future of Kenya is bright under BBI. I am not saying the document is perfect, but its the best for our country at this moment since it will address pertinent issues that have affected our country for long. Generations to come will change it to suit and address the challenges of their time,” he said.

Speaking yesterday in Iten after meeting Kanu delegations from Nandi, Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties, the senator warned Kenyans against blindly following those against the proposed constitutional changes.

“We are not trashing the current Constitution nor are we changing the entire Constitution; we are only amending a few sections to make a better Kenya for each one of us,” he said.

He accused those opposed to BBI, saying they have ulterior motives to satisfy personal interests and urged Kenyans to dismiss such.

“Some are saying we should push the referendum to 2022. Such statements are insincere because a stitch in time saves nine. We had better address the issues now before the next electioneering period,” said the senator.

Gideon said BBI would address inclusivity and entrench devolution that has not been adequately captured in the current Constitutional and is in need of urgent redress.

“Even the American Constitution has been amended over 35 times and at the moment it is the Holy Bible and Quran that are perfect because it is God-inspired. What a man writes is prone to mistakes and requires regular amendments,” he said.

The Kanu chairman said he would traverse the country popularising BBI and ensure it gets the desired backing before it is subjected to a referendum.

“I have the time, the energy and resources and I will visit every corner of this country, asking Kenyans to accept it. The signature collection was part of the process and we will continue educating people on the content and intention of the document,” he said.

He praised Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos, the BBI Rift Valley chairman, for ensuring voters from the region turned out in large numbers to append their signatures.

“Governor Tolgos put the naysayers to shame by mobilising signatures in the region to almost a million in a short time despite perceived opposition,” he said.

He was accompanied by Mr Tolgos and Moiben MP Silas Tiren among other  leaders from the region.

Tolgos said the huge turnout for signature collection was an indication the region had endorsed BBI.

“Rift Valley is said to be the BBI opposition zone and what we witnessed in the signature collection is in contrast to that,” said Tolgos.