Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos has expressed confidence that residents of Rift Valley will back the BBI process following approval by most county assemblies in the region.
Tolgos, who is the chairman of the BBI process in Rift Valley, said many residents and leaders were now able to separate the BBI from 2022 politics.
“As residents of Rift Valley, we are looking at the bigger picture and more importantly the benefits which our region and the entire country will benefit from the BBI if it’s approved at the referendum,” he said.
He said stronger devolution and national unity as some of the main benefits Kenyans will get from the BBI.
Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet assemblies will be the last counties expected to decide on the BBI on Tuesday to discuss and vote on the Bill.
The MCAs in the two counties are allies of Deputy President William Ruto and have found themselves in a tricky situation after all other counties except Nandi and Baringo voted for the BBI
“We have carried out public participation as required before we debate and make a decision on the Bill," Uasin Gishu Majority leader Josphat Lowoi said.
Ruto has called BBI not a priority in a country ravaged by Covid-19. Most MCAs in the Rift Valley – Ruto's backyard – had pledged to shoot the Bill down but Kericho, West Pokot, Bomet, Turkana and Samburu approved it.
Behind-the-scenes lobbying was still underway by some DP allies to have MCAs back the Bill and not leave themselves exposed.
The Nandi county assembly rejected the Bill on Thursday amid reports that they were likely to approve it. Ruto was in the area just a day later after they rejected the Bill
Uasin Gishu Speaker David Kiplagat said the vote in the assembly is expected to be on Tuesday.
In Elgeyo Marakwet, public participation was done on Friday and the vote will be carried out on Tuesday.
Jubilee secretary general Raphael Tuju had summoned 17 nominated MCAs from Uasin Gishu to the party headquarters and told them the Bill must be passed. Voting is expected next week.
The nominated MCAs attended the meeting with Tuju in Nairobi and will lead the campaign for the Bill in the assembly.
Uasin Gishu is Ruto’s home county and the assembly's 48 MCAs are mostly allied to him.
“We will decide on the Bill independently and we will not be swayed by decisions made by other assemblies,” said Lowoi.
While in Nandi, Ruto said he was comfortable with any system of government. He said it did not bother him if the BBI is passed or not but Kenyans must be allowed to decide without undue influence or threats.
“The true agenda we should be discussing about the people of Kenya is the economy, about the youth and about how to create employment,” said Ruto.
He said with or without the BBI, issues affecting the ordinary Kenyans must be tackled.
Edited by Henry Makori
