Lawyers laud Nyanza region for topping BBI signature collections

Former President of the East African Law Society James Mwamu address students of Dr. Aloo Gumbi when he presented them with Face masks and water tank through Mwalimu Japheth Mwamu Foundation-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

 By Dickson Odhiambo

December 5, 2020

Lawyers laud Nyanza region for topping BBI signature collections

A section of lawyers have lauded the residents of Nyanza region who have come out in large numbers to append their signatures to endorse the Building Bridges Initiative.

The lawyers says this is a good gesture by the residents of Nyanza region to endorse BBI report in large numbers.

Speaking separately, Former President of the East African Law Society James Aggrey Mwamu says that this is a true testimony that the people of Nyanza who have been fighting for reforms since 1963 are very keen in ensuring that the BBI document is passed during the National referendum.

Mwamu says the BBI is going to change the manner in conducting electoral politics in the country.

He says this is because part of the problem that the country has had is that both the president and his deputy comes from only two communities and when they form a government, it seems to be comprised of only two communities but with the restructured executive wing of the government it will accommodate between five to six different communities.

“We must acknowledge that we are a multi-ethnicized community and taking care of communities and ethnic interests are very important things as it will bring stability to the country and help it grow,”

Mwamu has thanked the BBI Secretariat for what he has termed as a well-organized job in the signatures collections among Kenyans on the BBI Report, adding that the process was well explained.

Lawyer Ken Amondi while addressing mourners during the funeral of veteran teacher Aloyce Achayo at Alego Nyandiwa in Siaya County said this shows that the residents have faith in the document.

Amondi says the document will be of great help especially on issue of Devolution where allocation to counties will be increased from the current 15 to 35 percent.

Amondi says this is also showing that the residents know it very well that it is their right to be served by those whom they have elected to represent them.

The two lawyers have spoken barely two days after on December 3 this year, it was announced that Nyanza region has topped the signature collection on the BBI report.

The results were released on Thursday and the region has topped the country in the national BBI signature collection.

 

Kisumu Governor Prof Peter Anyang Nyong’o said out of the 4,628, 174  signatures  collected across  the country  at the close of the  exercise  yesterday, Nyanza has  bagged  780, 427 signatures.

 

Nyong’o said the region has been followed closely by Eastern with 761,776 signatures then Rift Valley with 667,731 and Central with 643,880.

 

Nyong’o said the Coast has 608,578 signatures while Western and Nairobi have 525,323 and 461,934 signatures respectively.

 

The North eastern has 135,091 Kenyans appending their signatures to endorse the report.

 

Nyong’o said in Nyanza, Kisumu County top the list with 177,832 signatories. Homa Bay is second with 174,603 signatures, followed by Siaya 156,323, Kisii 116,112,  Migori 94,872 and Nyamira 60,379.

 

“These figures are sending a strong message that Nyanza is more than ready for the referendum. This is the epicenter of reggae and no one can stop it now.

ENDS: