Kanu national chairman Gideon Moi has asked pastoral communities to support the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), saying it addresses many of the challenges they face.
Speaking at Garissa Primary School yesterday, Gideon said the ward development fund and the increase of county revenue to 35 per cent will have a positive impact on pastoral counties.
He assured local leadership that BBI will safeguard the current constituencies, adding that he will join in lobbying for extra constituencies.
“The good thing about BBI is that everyone’s interests are taken care of, even those at the grassroots,” he said.
The Kanu chairman appreciated residents, saying the party has three elected members of parliament from the county.
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“You have been friends of Kanu and I would like to ask you to support the Building Bridges Initiative during the referendum,” he added.
Gideon was accompanied by Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat and Baringo Woman Representative Gladwell Jesire, among others.
He had earlier met with the county ward representatives who assured him of their support.
Gideon said it will be unfortunate if the region fails to support the document, which will among other things turn around its economy.
“I am here today to make a passionate appeal to you the people of Garissa and North Eastern at large to join other Kenyans of goodwill in passing the document. We shall have failed as leaders if we don’t point out areas of benefit to you,” said Gideon.
Local leaders led by Governor Ali Korane and several members of parliament and ward representatives have vowed to support BBI.
The governor said the Garissa County Assembly will be among the first to pass the document.
Konare claimed BBI will help solve historical boundary conflicts in various counties. Garissa has boundary feuds with its neighbour Isiolo.
The leaders accused Deputy President William Ruto of dividing Kenyans by fronting what they termed as a dangerous trend that needed to be stemmed.
Member of Parliament Mohamed Hire said the hustler versus dynasty narrative was dangerous and called on the National Security Council to address it before it was too late.
“We know we have so many challenges, but this narrative of dynasties and hustlers needs to stop because we need policies to make the lives of our people better and not through these class wars,” he said.
If not checked, the narrative, he said, will have far-reaching consequences. Hire, who was elected on a Kanu ticket, said the region has been supporting the party since Mzee Moi’s reign, claiming that under his government, the region registered a lot of development.
The leaders also spoke on the boundary dispute between Garissa and Isiolo, and accused Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i of working in isolation in solving the issues.
Fafi Member of Parliament Abdikarim Osman (Kanu) asked the Tangatanga group to join the BBI train, adding that they will be isolated since they would not withstand the BBI wave.
