Divisions have already emerged ahead of the implementation of the BBI report after being released today to the public by President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga at the Bomas of Kenya.
Speaking at the Bomas of Kenya ahead of the launch, Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi welcomed the report and applauded it for proposing an increase of 35% of funds to the devolved units but was quick to note that the increase of funds can be implemented through parliament and does not require a referendum.
”I do not think we need a referendum for you to change the percentage (of county funds) because you are not changing the structure of government.” Said Kiraitu.
According to Ndaraga member of parliament Jeremiah Kioni many of the changes that ought to be done can be done through parliament.
“Many of the changes that we would want done are changes that can be be done through an act of parliament, others through administrative process, the ones that require a referendum like introduction of a prime minister in parliament but i believe that even this can be done through a simple legislation.” Said Kioni.
On the other hand, Homa Bay Women Representative Gladys Wanga has differed with those ruling out the referendum as a mode of implementing issues emerging out of the BBI report.
Wanga is on record that this is a people’s process and so it must go the people.
“Anybody saying that this report can go through a parliamentary process is not true because once you are looking at issues affecting devolution like increasing amounts we are taking down to devolved units you definitely have an issue that has to go through a populous initiative so those saying this should go to parliament so that they shoot it down with lack of quorum should remember that from the onset this is a people’s process and so it must go the people.” Narrated Wanga.
