Western Kenya MCAs Demand Sh500,000 Each to Pass BBI Bill

300 MCAs drawn from four Western Kenya counties have demanded Sh500,000 each to pass the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Constitutional Amendment Bill.

The Ward Representatives from Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, and Busia counties threatened to shoot down the Bill in their respective county assemblies if their demands are not met.

They say the money, which is on top of the Sh2 million car grant recently awarded to all MCAs, will facilitate public participation and help them in popularizing the initiative.

“We don’t have money to conduct public participation, and you cannot just go to the people empty-handed,” said MCA Tom Adingo from Vihiga County.

The MCAs argued that the Sh300,000 facilitation fee promised to them is not enough and want the amount increased to at least half a million.

They spoke during a meeting attended by Western Kenya leaders led by ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa, governors Wilbur Ottichilo (Vihiga), Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma), and Senator Moses Wetang’ula.

“The issue we now have is not BBI. It is the Referendum Bill. BBI was a process, which is now over. The task force was dissolved. We need to be talking to the public about the Constitution Amendment Bill and Consequential Bills. The details are what Kenyans want,” Mudavadi said during the meeting.

So far, four county assemblies, including Siaya, Homa Bay, Kisumu, and Kisii have adopted the BBI Bill, which requires the support of at least 24 counties before it is forwarded to the National Assembly.