Raila Odinga lauds overwhelming passage of BBI Bill in counties

ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga has lauded the 38 County Assemblies that had passed the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Constitutional (Amendment) Bill by Wednesday.

Raila praised the counties, including 16 assemblies that passed the BBI Bill during what was dubbed ‘BBI Super Tuesday’ to give it the push past the constitutional 24 counties’ threshold.

“County assemblies have been able to push back on a year-long campaign of lies, misinformation and undue influence on a document whose centerpiece is ensuring prosperity and equitable sharing of the same,” Raila said.

He added, “I thank the members of those county assemblies and our governors who refused to give in to mistrust, cynicism, brinkmanship and fearmongering and passed the Bill resoundingly.”

As the main proponent of the BBI Bill alongside his handshake mate President Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila termed the moment as that of change and urged Kenyans in general to seize the moment.

“As I said during the launch of the collection of signatures on the Bill, I have worked with our people on processes of change like this for a long time. I know for a fact that Kenyans are not slow learners when it comes to recognizing and seizing moments of change,” he added.

The former Prime Minister expressed confidence that the BBI Referendum will receive the support of the majority and all its proposals adopted.

“With the dramatic and strong conclusion of the exercise today, we are extremely close to giving our people the reforms they need to create a united, inclusive, stable and prosperous nation that also deals decisively with the crime of corruption.”

He expressed hope that the National Assembly and the Senate will adopt the resolution of the counties that passed the Bill and prepare the required draft to pave way for a referendum.