Nyanza Clergy hail MPs for passing BBI Bill

 

Apostle Dr Washington Ogonyo Ngede at his office

 

By Dickson Odhiambo

May 7, 2021

Nyanza Clergy hail MPs for passing BBI Bill

A SECTION of clergy from Nyanza region have hailed the Members of the National Assembly for passing the Building Bridges Initiative Bill last evening.

The clergy under the umbrella of the Nyanza Council of Church leaders comprising 250 denominations say it is a good move after the Members of the National Assembly across the various political divide passed the Building Bridges Initiative Bill with majority Vote.

In a signed Press statement to newsrooms, the clergy Arch Bishop Julius Otieno of Living Water Church and Vice Chair of the Council and Arch Bishop Patrick Ligawa of Church of Christ in Africa led by the chairman of the Nyanza Council of Church Leaders Apostle Dr Washington Ogonyo Ngede now urge the Senators to also pass the BBI Bill without any amendment to it before it is taken to the President for his assent into law.

They say this is because amendments can be done later since the constitutional making is a process done progressively.

“In the BBI Bill, there are a number of goodies which will enable Kenyans to move forward in terms of development for example the issue of Ward Development Fund and the increased allocation to counties from the current 15 percent to 35 percent of the national revenue,” they say

The members of the clergy add that BBI will surely help in bringing inclusivity and ensure that the winner does not take it all as has been the case with the past regimes.

 “We therefore urge Kenyans to vote the document overwhelmingly during the National Referendum that is due in the course of this year and by doing so it will ensure that they own the document,” they add.

On the other hand, the clergy have requested the residents of Nyanza region particularly those residing in Kisumu County to warmly welcome President Uhuru Kenyatta and  Right Honorable former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga during his visit in the region for this Year’s Madaraka Day Celebrations.

 “Welcoming the President overwhelmingly will also be a sign of inviting serious investors to the Lake side city of Kisumu. Such warm welcome will be surely reciprocated by a number of goodies that the Head of State will be having for the region when he visit it,” they further say, adding that there are a number of developments that the national Government has initiated in the region and this is indeed a good gesture.

They further urge politicians to use friendly words while engaging their colleagues instead of using abusive words.

ENDS