Pastoralists among big winners in referendum proposals, says Gideon

Kanu chairman Gideon Moi at a BBI rally at Garissa primary on January 31, 2021. [Abdimalik Ismail, Standard]

The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) will end the marginalisation of pastoralist communities as every region will get an equitable share of national resources, Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has said.

He asked Kenyans to reject those spreading propaganda that BBI was about creating positions for the political class, saying the document would spur economic growth and foster cohesion in the country.

“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 this document. We shall have failed as leaders if we don’t point out areas of benefit to you,” he said.

The Kanu chairman said BBI would end issues affecting pastoralism, which is the economic backbone of the region.

He was speaking at Garissa Primary School playgrounds on Monday during a public rally to popularise the constitutional changes.

Gideon has recently intensified his tours of the North Eastern region, and Tana River and Lamu counties to drum up support for the proposal to change the Constitution.

In mid-January, he toured the islands of Lamu, including Faza in Lamu East Constituency, where he said BBI provisions would spur development in far-flung areas of the country.

Development and infrastructure

He said unlike the current Constitution, the changes proposed under the BBI clearly spell out measures that would boost every region.

Gideon said if the BBI changes are passed, wards would get about Sh200 million to fund development and infrastructure through the Ward Development Fund, and would help create jobs.

“I am grateful to the people of Lamu County for their warm reception and the resolve to live in cohesion even as we strive to build a nation united by ideals,” he tweeted after the Lamu tour.

On Monday, Gideon said it would be unfortunate if the North Eastern region failed to support the document, which will, among other things, turn around its economy.

The senator was accompanied by, among other leaders, Garissa Governor Ali Korane, Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat, Kanu MPs Abdikarim Osman and Mohamed Hire, and Nominated Senator Abshiro Halake.

Korane said the proposed constitutional changes would improve the livelihoods of disadvantaged communities like the Somali who have been marginalised for decades.

The governor said as a region, they have unanimously agreed to pass the document.

He added that the document proposes the establishment of a commission to address protracted border disputes, a problem that has dogged the region for years.