Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana on Monday announced his decision to switch camps from being a strong opposer and critic of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) to a supporter. 

Kibwana said his decision to throw his weight behind the BBI Bill and the impending referendum, was advised by sentiments of Makueni residents in BBI Bill public participation forums recently held.

“I have listened to the voice of the people in the just concluded BBI Public Participation forums,” Kibwana said.

He added, “Wananchi said the 15 percent revenue allocation to counties had greatly transformed rural economies. In that regard, I wish to respect the will of the people & ask MCAs 2 do the same.”

Kibwana had last year joined Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua in urging Kenyans to reject the BBI reforms saying they reeked "arrogance" of President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Kibwana and Karua said then that Kenyan should instead reform the broken electoral system.

“Kenyans need to be bold and stand up against BBI,” Kibwana said in November, while accusing Kenyatta and Odinga of using the BBI process to form a coalition for the 2022 General Election.

His abrupt shift is set to elicit varied reaction given he was the only governor from the four Ukambani counties who opposed the BBI process.

This comes only days after Kibwana and presidential hopeful and former UNCTAD boss Mukhisa Kituyi met ODM leader Raila Odinga and Siaya Senator James Orengo for “brunch” in Nairobi.