Governor Kivutha Kibwana Makes U-Turn, Declares Support for BBI

Makueni Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana has declared his support for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

On Monday, Kibwana said he decided to support the initiative after listening to the voice of the people, who want more resources allocated to the counties as proposed in the BBI Bill.

His announcement came after he met with more than 60 MCAs from the Ukambani region, a meeting that resolved to pass the BBI Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2020. 

“Earlier today I joined my colleague @DrAlfredMutua and MCAs from both Makueni and Machakos to deliberate on the raging constitutional amendment conversation. We agreed that MCAs should respect the will of the people who endorsed the BBI amendment proposal from the recent PP (public participation),” Kibwana tweeted.

He added: “I have listened to the voice of the people in the just concluded BBI Public Participation forums. 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 & ask MCAs to do the same.” 

Governor Kibwana was among the chief opponents of BBI and even filed a petition at the Supreme Court seeking an advisory opinion on the Bill.

He was a member of Linda Katiba, a lobby that is opposing the plan to amend the 2010 Constitution through BBI. Other members of the lobby include Nark-Kenya leader Martha Karua, economist David Ndii, Yash Pal Ghai, and activist Boniface Mwangi.

Kibwana's sudden change of heart also came days after he met with ODM leader Raila Odinga, the chief campaigner of BBI.