Kisumu County Assembly passes BBI bill in record three hours

Kisumu County Speaker Elisha Oraro with some MCAs addresses the media at the Assembly on February 9, 2021 after approving the BBI bill. [Collins Oduor, Standard)

The Kisumu County Assembly on Tuesday became the second assembly to pass the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill after Siaya to facilitate a referendum.

The move further signalled the resolve by the assemblies in ODM leader Raila Odinga’s stronghold to speedily pass the bill and attain the 24 assemblies’ requirement and set the stage for a referendum.

The assembly passed the bill in a record three hours with members saying it was per the public demand during public participation exercise

The bill was tabled by Justice and Legal Affairs committee member Seth Okumu and seconded by Majority Leader Ken Onyango.

During the session, members praised the bill, saying it will bring unity in the country and spur growth through the establishment of Ward Development Fund.

County Speaker Elisha Oraro said members will now carry out mass public sensitisation and voter education at the grassroots from next week.

On Monday, Raila led leaders from Kisumu, Migori, Siaya and Homa Bay counties in backing the BBI and vowed to ensure it’s passed in the assemblies.

Siaya county assembly on February 3 became the first in the country to approve the Building Bridges Initiative Amendment Bill.

The draft bill was passed during a special sitting that had earlier been gazetted by Speaker George Okode following public participation exercises conducted across all the sub-counties.