Politicians from western region of Kenya (Luhya) have collided over the suspension of signature collection for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report due to surging numbers of covid-19.
The outspoken Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali, Charlatan Rashid Echesa and Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala said the suspensionis necessary as it will allow for dialogue on the disputed report.
Mp Washiali said Kenyans must be given opportunity to air their views and have them put into the report before they are forced into a referendum.
“We have the opportunity of making a more inclusive document that all parties will agree on and will bring unity,” Washiali said.
Senator Malala who fell out with BBI champion Raila Odinga warned Kenyans over the document saying it is a recipe for chaos and further divisions.
“If we discuss and come up with a unifying document we may end up using only Sh2 billion and not the projected Sh14 billion in a referendum,” Malala said
The Kakamega Senator spoke at the burial of Kakamega County Chief of Staff Robert Sumbi succumbed to covid-19 amid political wars.
But the BBI supporters who attended the funeral led by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya dismissed them as times wasters adding that the document is already sealed.
Oparanya said that the BBI report must be passed as it is.
The Council of Governors (CoG) chairman who is dreaming to be a deputy prime minister when the report is adopted added that counties will support the document.
“I have been at the forefront fighting for the betterment of devolution because as governors, we have faced difficulties in the last two terms in terms due to limited resources,” Oparanya said.
Nominated Senator Naomi Shiyonga also told off Khalwale’s team that BBI movement has not been sabotaged as it is beginning to look like.
