Second County Assembly Passes BBI Constitutional Amendment Bill

Kisumu County Assembly has unanimously passed the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2020.

MCA Seth Okumu, who chairs the Administrative of Law and Justice Committee, tabled a report on the Bill during a special sitting held on Tuesday. The committee compiled the report after conducting public participation on the Bill on Friday.

Speaking during the session, Okumu said residents who attended the public participation meeting hailed the Bill, saying it will strengthen devolution by increasing revenue allocation to the counties from 15 to 35 percent.

"The public was also in approval of creation of the ward development fund which would be five percent of the county's annual budget as this would improve development close to the common mwananchi,” said Okumu.

When the vote was put by County Speaker Elisha Oraro, MCAs unanimously voted to have the Bill passed. Oraro said he will transmit the assembly’s verdict on the Bill to the Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate.

Kisumu becomes the second county to pass the bill after Siaya county, which adopted it on February 3rd. To go for the referendum, the bill needs the approval of at least 24 counties.