Busia MCAs table BBI bill, commit it to house team

Busia Members of County Assembly tabled the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2020 on Thursday and committed it to a House Committee.

The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee will now start collecting views from locals next week across the seven constituencies including Matayos, Butula, Budalang’i, Funyula, Teso South, Teso North and Nambale.

Siaya was the first county to pass the BBI bill on Wednesday.

Busia County Assembly Speaker Bernard Wamalwa urged residents to attend public participation forums scheduled for next week and air their views before the draft bill is returned to the assembly.

Wamalwa confirmed that copies of the BBI report were available and will be distributed to locals before public participation kicks off.

“Three days have been set aside purposely for public participation, members of public should come out in large numbers and give out their views on the BBI Bill,” he said.

“We are at a very critical stage and members of county assembly understand this well. Those with reservations on BBI-let them come out and share with the members of the committee,” the Speaker maintained.

Mr Wamalwa defended the proposal to award Ward Representatives car grants noting that just like senators and MPs are given grants, MCAs are equally deserving.

Justice and Legal Affairs Committee Chairman David Kokonya (Malaba South) observed that they will try as a team to ensure that they collect as many views from members of the public.

He called on his colleagues to sensitise their electorate on the BBI. “The MCAs have a key role to play in this process, we should help our people to understand what is contained in the document,” said Kokonya.

Nangina MCA John Obwogo hinted that the bill will sail through once it returns to the assembly for debate and voting. “I have no doubt that the bill will be passed by majority,” said Obwogo.