Lamu County Commissioner (CC) Irungu Macharia has told chiefs in Lamu to be at the forefront of educating citizens over the benefits of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), in a bid to build consensus for it ahead of a planned referendum next year.
Speaking during a National Government Administrative Officers meeting in Lamu Island Monday, the senior public official while addressing at least 70 chiefs told them to aid in facilitating momentum for the Building Bridges Initiative.
He urged the chiefs as well as other public servants to be wary of fake BBI documents that could be circulating within the public.
“With the BBI document out already, there is need to sensitise the public over the gains that will be made once the national government implements the amendments,” Macharia said.
He further stated that chiefs will be at the forefront of ensuring civic education on the BBI while adding, booklets will soon be made available to the public.
Macharia urged the chiefs to be vigilant against those who will be spreading fake news and reports on the document.
“The BBI will essentially benefit the public, especially youths, who stand to gain a youth commission that will look into unemployment, with the aim of addressing it,” he said.
He said that with Lamu County being a formerly marginalized area, communities in the region will benefit from affirmative action initiatives that have been included in the BBI.
Sentiments echoed by National Police Service Commission Chairman Eliud Kinuthia who voiced his support despite proposals within the BBI report that may well abolish the NPSC in favour of a strengthened Kenya Police Council.
He said that the BBI will aid youths with a 7 year tax break that would enable them jumpstart their businesses.
“The BBI will also aid in facilitating lasting peace and security regardless of elections and promote inclusivity of all Kenyans,” Kinuthia said.
Also speaking to KNA, Mkomani location Senior Chief Majid Hussein stated that public servants will be key in roping in all religious and political leaders when the BBI will be rolled out officially within the counties, noting, the BBI will ensure fair play especially within elections and thus guarantee peace and security.
Speaking separately, over the same, area Governor Fahim Twaha voiced his support for the document, noting that the 35 percent budgetary allocation for counties would bring in development to previously marginalised areas such as Lamu.
By Amenya Ochieng
