Nyanza leaders resolve to de link Handshake and BBI from 2022 Politics to allow sober debate

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga follow proceedings during today's Nyanza Lower consultative forum that has made a number  of resolutions among them to to completely and urgently delink the handshake and the BBI from the 2022 election politics to allow Kenyans debate the issues soberly and dispassionately-Photo Courtesy

By Dickson Odhiambo

 

February 8, 2021.

 

Nyanza leaders resolve to de link Handshake and BBI from 2022 Politics to allow sober debate

 

The Leaders from Nyanza region have today resolved to completely and urgently delink the handshake and the BBI from the 2022 election politics to allow Kenyans debate the issues soberly and dispassionately.

 

They say by doing so it will also allow the government and the President Uhuru Kenyatta to continue with the task of delivering critical services to Kenyans even as they pursue envisaged reforms that the country yearns.

 

 This and other resolution have been made in Kisumu today after an extensive and detailed presentations of the contents of the Building Bridges Initiative {BBI} by the experts and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in a meeting that Odinga was present all through.

 

The resolutions have been made after a five hours discussion among the over 2000 delegates from Siaya, Migori, Kisumu and Homa Bay counties including governors, senators, MPs, MCAs, the Clergy, and civil society representatives.

 

Noting that the four county assemblies are currently discussing the BBI Bill, with Siaya County Assembly having passed the said Bill, the delegates have also  endorsed and support the Nine Principles on which the BBI referendum bill is based and the constitutional changes envisaged, the policies required as a framework for changes and the administrative measures to be undertaken.

 

They have also agreed to engage in thorough public participation to ensure that people at the grass root level support the Bill from the basis of knowledge understanding it.

 

“We shall seek to unite our people and the people of Kenya to support democracy and national unity for the sustainable development of our nation. We continue to thank President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Amolo Odinga for their decision to put aside their differences that looked insurmountable to join hands and address ages old problems that have held our country back over the years,” part of the resolutions reads

 

The meeting have also resolved to recognize election management as posing an existential threat to the country and addressing it by putting in place an electoral body that enjoys the confidence of all players and by ending the winner takes all brand of the politics as proposed in BBI is both desirable and urgent.

 

“We also support all efforts to end election related violence that have afflicted this region and our country from 1991 to date and urge that every effort be made to ensure that leaders’ hell bent on taking us back on that route are stopped at all costs. Having witnessed the ravages of economic marginalization that have haunted this region over the decades, we support every proposal in BBI to ensure shared prosperity through investment in accelerated industrialization and business promotion that in turn create employment for our youth,” adds part of the resolutions.

 

 

They have further resolved that they have a mandate and encourage Raila Odinga to renew and strengthen his working relationship with President Kenyatta, adding that they will also give the President the support and backing he needs to delivers to Kenyans.

 

ENDS: