Outspoken Wajir Women Representative throw her weight behind BBI Report with the option for Referendum.
Wajir County Women representative Fatuma Gedi today stood ground in full support of Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Report when she called and addressed members of the Press on the matter in Wajir town.
Fatuma stated that, first BBI through the ‘handshake’ between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Rt Honourable Raila Odinga has brought unity among Kenyans and made the Nation stable by lowering the political tempereture earlier experienced after the controversial 2017 Presidential elections.
Secondly, the Lawmaker said the BBI 14-Member Taskforce has presented its report to the two principals which is aimed at addressing the nine identified grievances which have caused instability in the country. She said the report when implemented will unite all Kenyas together and stop Election Violence which has remained perennial after every election.
Father, she said through the implementation of the BBI Report will increase funds to the Counties and fully ensure the success of Devolution system. She said once Devolution receives more funds it will see more cash reach the Youth, women and Persons with Disability.
Fatuma strongly opposed the idea of Implementing BBI Report through the National Assembly stating Kenyans have to participate and have their say endorsed in a referendum. She clarified that it was not a bill to be tabled in Parliament for debate, but a document that requires the attention of Kenyas which automatically is geared for a referendum.
On the Executive Fatuma said “We need the Executive to be expanded to have the President elected by the public and a powerful Prime Minister in addition to two deputy Prime Ministers. Each region will get it shares in the Executive arm of Government as part of bringing communities together”.
On Cabinet Secretaries Appointments which BBi proposes to be drawn from elected Members of Parliament, Fatuma supported the move saying it is a way to reduce the wage bill since whoever will be a minister will earn one salary.
On Corruption Fatuma said BBI will bring normalcy in the utilization of public funds since whistle blowers will be rewarded with something if they unearth a scandal. She said the security agencies that fight corruption will get more powers than is the case now.
The legislator also said once BBI Report is successfully implemented Members of the County Assemblies (MCAs) will get more powers and money that will be devolved to the wards level. Fatuma also proposed that burseries be handled by the MCAs not Mps and Women reps.
The women rep said those who are currently advocating for BBI Report be brought to Parliament were the ones first opposing the BBI even before its report was made public. Fatuma dismissed as hypocritical those who were supporting the Ideology of Punguza Mzigo Bill through a referendum and now want the BBI Report to be through Parliament.
Fatuma who has identified herself as a close ally of Rt Honourable Raila Odinga has made her influence in National Politics recognised and more recently when she campaigned for Imran Okoth in the conclude Kibra by elections.