By John Mugendi
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has asked the county senator, Prof Kithure Kindiki and the four members of the National Assembly to vote in favour of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Bill once it’s tabled in their respective Houses.
Addressing the press outside the Tharaka Nithi County Assembly chambers in Kathwana shortly after the MCAs unanimously passed the bill, Governor Njuki said it’s high time elected leaders put aside their individual interest and direct their energy on the issues that benefit their constituents.
He said during public hearings conducted by the MCAs across the three constituencies, it came out crystal clear that the residents are in full support of the proposed constitutional amendments.
“I urge all our elected leaders in the National Assembly and our senator to respect the will of their majority of the people and endorse the BBI bill once tabled in their respective Houses,” said Governor Njuki.
He said those opposing BBI are just pushed by their 2022 political interests forgetting that the constitutional amendments are for a better future for all Kenyans.
He added that BBI proposes to legalise of National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) and unless MPs are not interested in the kitty, he doesn’t expect any of them to vote against it.
The county boss lauded Speaker David Mbaya and Clerk Amos Kiangwe for their competence in running the Assembly and especially taking the BBI bill through the legal processes.
All the 20 MCAs unanimously passed the bill pointing out that it will be of great help to the people in the villages.
They said the proposed increment of the county allocation from the current 15 percent to 35 percent will give an assurance of development in the devolved units.
Majority Leader and the Ganga ward representative Mr Peterson Mwirigi said that the proposed Ward Fund will give the MCAs ability to solve the small problems in their wards without having to wait for the executive.
Nkondi ward MCA Gitonga Kithuka dismissed claims by those opposing BBI that since the national government does not release the current 15 percent promptly; it will not be able to give the proposed 35 percent.
“The analogy that government will not be able to give the proposed 35 percent because it does not release the 15 percent promptly is misleading because it lacks sense,” said Mr Kithuka.
