Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said that the Building Bridges Initiative is a solution to Kenya’s governance.
Speaking at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega during a consultative meeting on BBI, the former PM said the purpose of the BBI was for posterity of all Kenyans and not for Raila as an individual.
“ Raila may not be the President of Kenya but we want a constitution that will ensure Kenya is governed in a responsible manner; we want to remove Kenyans from poverty to posterity like China which moved 300m citizens from poverty to middle income status,” he said.
The ODM leader added that the BBI will not leave anybody out but will center on national ethos, inclusivity and offer permanent solutions to problems afflicting Kenyans and to fight corruption.
Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli said that Western region will not be complete without Teso and Sabaot communities.
Atwoli said talking of the Mulembe nation without the two communities will render the region’s bid for unity futile.
“You cannot prepare a meal and serve to Mulembe family without serving the Teso and Sabaots; this then calls for inclusivity of these communities,” he said.
Atwoli’s remarks followed concerns by the Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong who urged the Mulembe nation to remember the Teso and Sabaot communities in the spirit of inclusivity.
Chapter 6 of the BBI is yearning for reforms to increase inclusivity at the national levels and it should be equally reflected at the County.
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula said the unity of the people of Western Kenya should not exclude the Teso and Sabaot Communities.
Amani Party leader Musalia Mudavadi said he is not against the BBI but wants elaborate laws to put to guard our economy and look at the welfare of citizens.
Mudavadi said Uganda is Kenya’s largest trading partner with border counties including Busia and Malaba, but they benefit least from trade between Kenya and Uganda due to trade regimes which are not in their favor.
Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa on the other hand said the BBI should embrace cross border trade in the spirit of the East Africa integration process.
Five Governors from Western region have endorsed the BBI report saying devolution is the biggest winner in the document.
Governors Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma), Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia) have agreed to team up with MPs and Senators from the region to traverse and enlighten residents on the BBI.
Other Governors present included Okoth Obado (Migori), James Ongwae (Kisii), John Nyagarama (Nyamira), Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay), Jack Ranguma (Siaya), Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), Charity Ngilu (Kitui), Ane Waiguru (Kirinyaga) and Granton Samboja (Taita Taveta).