Opposition chief Raila Odinga’s Siaya County Assembly on Wednesday became the first to pass the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Bill.
The MCAs passed the Bill unanimously after considering a report tabled in the House by Legal Affairs Committee Chair Francis Otiato and seconded by Usonga Ward MCA Sylvester Madialo.
The Ward Representatives said there are numerous gains for the country in the BBI during the fast-tracked special sitting chaired by Speaker George Okode.
Among gains they noted include inclusivity, improved gender parity, more county allocations, boosted judicial liability, better women, youths and persons with disability representation.
Addressing the media after ending the session, Speaker Okode said he would now notify Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate on their Wednesday verdict on the BBI Bill.
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He said he will submit a copy of the draft Bill, a certificate of the Bill approval and a report by the Siaya County Assembly’s Legal Affairs Committee to Parliament and Senate on Thursday.
Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga, who witnessed the session, praised the Siaya MCAs for moving fast to pass the BBI Bill and appealed to others in other counties to follow suit.
The BBI Bill requires to be passed by at least 24 counties for it to move to the next stage where all Kenyans will be given a chance to vote to adopt or reject it in a national referendum.