Journalists Thrown Out of Raila's Meeting

An image of Raila Odinga
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa at a meeting in Kisumu on Sunday, November 15.
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Journalists were bundled out of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's meeting with the County Assemblies Forum on Tuesday, November 17. 

The meeting was focused on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) roadmap with the MCAs sharing some of their grievances.

Speaking at Crown Plaza where the meeting was taking place, NTV's senior political reporter Kennedy Muriithi revealed that he and his colleagues were thrown out of the meeting.

ODM leader Raila Odinga in a press conference with members of the Pastoralist Parliamentary Group on November 9, 2020
ODM leader Raila Odinga in a press conference with members of the Pastoralist Parliamentary Group on November 9, 2020
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"A meeting between ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga and the Members of the County Assembly Forum was taking place at the 14th floor of Crown Plaza before we were forcefully ejected while they were doing the introductions.

"The MCAs were very categorical that they did not want to see any member of the media on that 14th floor and that is just an indication of a stormy meeting that may be happening," noted the reporter.

The meeting is set to be an informal one to iron out issues ahead of an official conference on Wednesday, November 18.

Among the issues set to be discussed in the meeting is the welfare of the MCAs who want their well being taken care of either through the BBI or a Bill that will be tabled in Parliament.

The MCAs want to enjoy similar privileges and packs as MPs or Senators that we include being provided with

Pensions and Car loans at the sum of Ksh2M and Ksh4M already.

The BBI report needs to be passed by at least 24 County Assemblies before it heads to Parliament with Governors being enlisted to lobby the MCAs in their respective counties to support the report.

MCAs also want an increase on the proposed Ward Development Fund, from the proposed 5 percent to between 30 to 35 percent - they argue that the proposed amount is not enough to cater to their Ward's need.

The legislators want a clause in the constitution changed which bars MCAs from being elected as an MP as they claim it is discriminatory.

Raila had previously ruled out any significant amendments to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report following pressure from Deputy President William Ruto's allies.

ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga addressing the media on November 15, 2020.
ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga addressing the media on November 15, 2020.
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