Siaya, Homa Bay counties to debate BBI Bill

ODM leader Raila Odinga in Roysambu with other leaders during a BBI rally. [Emmanuel Wanson, Standard]

The Homa Bay County Assembly has subjected the BBI Referendum Bill for public participation as the process of approving or rejecting it starts.

The County Assembly has committed the bill to the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee which will make arrangements on how to seek the county residents’ views.

County Assembly Deputy Speaker Elias Orondo said they held a special sitting on Friday last week in which they handed over the bill to the committee.

The committee is expected to table a report on the bill to enable MCAs discuss it for approval or rejection.

“I am optimistic that we are going to approve it when it is presented to the House in 21 days from Friday last week,” Orondo said.?

Meanwhile Siaya county assembly to debate on BBI Bill tomorrow morning.

Siaya MCAs will meet to consider the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill.

Members of the county assembly JLAC today led residents in public hearing meetings.

The public participation on the BBI Bill,2020 was conducted in all the six sub-counties in Siaya county. 
The BBI Bill was submitted to 47 county assemblies by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The counties have 90 days to debate and approve the Bill.
The County Assembly had put up adverts in local dailies last week inviting residents who cannot attend the public participation forums.

Meetings in Gem, Bondo and Ugunja sub-counties were held between 2 pm and 5 pm while those in Rarieda, Alego Usonga and Ugenya sub-counties were held between 9 am and 12.
Monica Olali, a resident of West Uyoma ward in Rarieda sub-county, who spoke during the public participation, urged MCAs to approve the Bill, stating that it will resolve electoral disputes.

The Bill will require two thirds or 24 counties to approve it before Kenyans can vote to approve or reject it in a referendum.