Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has made a u-turn to support the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) after opposing the document for months.
The governor on Monday, February 22, met with MCAs from both Makueni and Machakos County to deliberate on the constitutional amendment process.
“Earlier today I joined my colleague Dr Alfred Mutua and MCAs from both Machakos and Makueni counties to deliberate on the ranging constitutional amendment conversation.
“We agreed that MCAs should respect the will of the people who endorsed the BBI amendment proposal from the recent PP fora,” the governor wrote on his twitter account.
The governor said that he had listened to the voice of the people, and that he wished to respect the will of the people.
“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 and ask MCAs to do the same,” he added.
Kivutha Kibwana had earlier opposed the BBI on grounds that the process was illegitimate, and that he was concerned about how the proposed changes were initiated.
The governor had often opposed the BBI claiming that the push to amend the constitution had nothing to do with Kenyans, and that it was driven by individuals.
“The document affects the independence of commission and independent offices. Having looked at the proposals it is clear that political leadership has never been happy about the 2010 constitution,” the governor had argued.
In December 2020, Kibwana filed a case at the Supreme Court asking the court to clarify whether the initiative was set out exclusively for the people. He had expressed his concern that state officers using public funds to rally for the initiative will result in significant wastage of public funds.
Machakos and Makueni Counties will vote for the BBI Bill tomorrow. So far only Baringo County has voted against the Bill. Twenty-four counties are required to vote in favour of the Bill before it is moved to the parliament.
Kenyans have taken to their social media accounts to express their shock after the vocal Linda Katiba member made a u-turn in support of BBI.
