Post Sagana meeting: The Mountain has taken the decision

By The Mountain Journal

Hundreds of people in the Mt
Kenya region are in support of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) after days
of deliberations at Sagana State Lodge.

The youth perceived to have
been against the report have given indications that they will back the
constitutional amendments, due to clauses that they will benefit from.

The meeting convened by
President Uhuru Kenyatta brought together Governor’s MPs and MCA to rally
behind the report, and was a unique one as the region had been perceived to be
against the report.

In the meeting, the President said he was interested for the unity of the nation, more than anything else.

After the meeting, Governors Mwangi
wa Iria and Ndiritu Muriithi of Murang’a and Laikipia Counties respectively
have taken charge to spearhead the campaigns to back the report.

A day before the Sagana
meeting, Iria convened a leader meeting in a Gatanga hotel, where MCAs and
opinion leaders were taken through the document by a constitutional expert.

“Am in charge of the BBI campaign
and we have a committee where all the MPs are members. Murang’a County Assembly
has given assurance that the BBI will be passed as there will be more gains,”
said the governor.

One of the youth leaders in Central
Mr Tonious Kuruma said BBI is going to increase resources in our counties
through the Ward Development Fund. “The allocation to the counties will be
increased to 35 percent annually. Mt Kenya region has been neglected in
resource allocation now there will be additional constituencies that have more
money,” said Kuruma.

MPs allied to the Kieleweke squad led
by Ngugi Nduati (Gatanga) Peter Kimari( Mathioya), Kanini Kega(Kieni) have been
supporting the BBI saying it will help the Mountain to remain united.

Pro Deputy President William
Ruto brigade was not invited to the meeting.

Nduati speaking in his constituency
said the BBI was the best gift for the mountain region, which had been
marginalized for decades.