By Obegi Malack
The Constitutional Amendment Bill 2020 bill will now be tabled at Kajiado County Assembly after the House sittings resumed on Tuesday after long recess.
Kajiado County Governor Joseph ole Lenku had opened the fifth session of the assembly urging the MCAs to pass the Bill to pave way for implementation of the recommendations of the Building Building Initiatives (BBI).
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati had submitted the draft Bill to the 47 counties for approval.
The assembly which is led by speaker Johnson Osoi who was appointed by County Assemblies Forum to lead Members of the 47 County Assemblies to come up with a common decision on the BBI will have 90 days to approve or reject it.
The Bill is expected to sail through after MCAs from “hustler movement” slowed their campaign against the Bill.
Majority Party Whip James Waisha said the bill will be approved with little opposition, he said some of his colleagues who have been opposing the Bill changed tune after the Sagana meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Waisha said the Bill will go through due process before passed. It will be discussed in assembly committee before taken through a public participation process and then approved.
He said the Bill will provide solutions to challenges facing the county, he supported creation of more constituencies and increase of funds to counties
The BBI report if implemented will improve access to resources at the grass root level by strengthening devolution, increasing resources to the Counties between 35 and 50%.
Ongata Rongai MCA Mwathi Pere said he will oppose the bill. “The bill might sail through but will not be passed by the electorates in the referendum, you know there are some of our colleagues who we do not trust, they have no clear stand , they will bribe MCAs but electorates will vote against it ” he said . He added that the additional constituencies will not benefit cosmopolitan people.
Speaking to County Press the pro DP William Ruto MCA said increase of funds to counties was to entice few electorates to support the bill, he noted that the counties are facing challenges since the Treasury has failed to allocate funds to Counties as stated in the Constitution .National Government will still decline in releasing the funds even if it is increased.
The MCA said they are entitled to get car grants and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission did not do them a favor.
Keekonyokie MCA Ward Moses Saoyo Kusero said the Treasury has failed in 15 % revenue allocation to the Counties and BBI proposal of 35% will not be achieved, he said the MCAs should not be bribed with car grants.
Another pro-Ruto MCA Martin Kimemia said he will decide whether to support the bill or reject it after analyzing it.
Nominated MCA Washuka Mathenge (pro-Ruto) also shared same sentiments she said she will have to go through the report before making her mind whether to support it or not. The MCA is among several “Tangatanga” MCAs that attended the Sagana meeting.
At least 24 county assemblies of the 47 are required to approve the Bill before it goes to the National Assembly to be approved before public participation.