Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga has alleged a scheme to block the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report using county assemblies.
Raila said that poisoning of the minds of Ward Reps to reject BBI by opponents of the constitutional amendments is part of the scheme.
The Constitution Amendment Bill 2020 is expected to be presented to the 47 county assemblies and at least 24 of them are required to approve it before it is presented to the National Assembly.
Raila hinted at possible collusion between a section of political leaders and unnamed non-governmental organisations in a bid to influence Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) to reject the Bill.
"We are aware of the plot to convince MCAs to reject the document, but what I can tell you is that it is an exercise in futility because the majority of the MCAs also appended their signatures to the same document," said the ODM party leader.
Through the County Assembly Forum (CAF), the MCAs threatened to reject the initiative unless it was reviewed to enhance their powers.
The MCAs through the speaker of Kajiado County John Osoi, warned the report would not get the support of the requisite 24 assemblies unless it guaranteed them financial autonomy.
However, MCAs who come from the political backyard of Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta - have since distanced themselves from Osoi's stand.
Speaking on the matter, speakers Elisha Oraro of Kisumu, Hasa Mudezi of Vihiga, George Okode of Siaya and Boaz Okoth of Migori said they would allow the MCAs to debate and make an independent decision on the bill.
"We are ready and I believe that MCAs are mature enough and have seen what is good in the document. No one can influence them on how they will vote," said Oraro.
Siaya's Okode disputed the claims and noted that MCAs were independent.
