Vocal Kilifi Member of County Assembly Nixon Mramba has challenged Deputy President William Ruto to declare his stand on the Constitutional Amendment Bill and stop confusing Kenyans.
“I urge the Deputy President to man up and say whether or not he supports the popular initiative so that we can move ahead,” Mr. Mramba, who is the Member of County Assembly for Kakuyuni in Malindi constituency said.
The Orange Democratic Movement diehard said this at the Madunguni Primary School within his ward on Sunday after distributing bursary cheques amounting to more than Sh4 million to about 500 Form Four students from the area.
The outspoken politician challenged the DP to demonstrate by action what he says about supporting his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta, instead of declaring one thing and doing the opposite.
“Let him not tell us that he supports his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta, yet he does not support what the president stands for,” the MCA said and wondered why the DP was still whining about yet his demands had been included in the proposed Referendum Bill.
“I would like to tell the Deputy President, His Excellency Dr. William Ruto and his supporters that their conditions have been overtaken by events. Let him choose one, whether to support or to oppose,”Mramba added.
Noting that no document was perfect, the county legislator urged Kenyans to weigh the merits and demerits of the proposed amendments and be guided by what they think is best instead of listening to people who have no stand.
“On our part, we support the BBI process because when Kenyans endorse it, we shall have more financial resources to be able to carry out development activities as well as pay school fees for needy children like we have done today,” he said.
“If we are getting 15 percent and today we were able to support more than 500 students with school fees, how much more shall we accomplish when 35 percent of the sharable revenue is sent to the counties?” he posed.
The political firebrand expressed confidence that the Bill would get the endorsement of more than 40 county assemblies and a majority of Kenyans if the document is subjected to a referendum.
During the function, Mr. Mramba said the County Ward Bursary Fund was giving scholarships to all students who scored 350 marks and above at KCPE (340 marks for girls) as well as those who qualify to join university. The rest get an average of Sh10,000 per year.
The DP has not openly opposed the plebiscite but is also pushing for consensus on certain issues to avoid a split vote, prompting his political adversaries to call him hypocrite and a water melon.
On Sunday, the DP rejected calls by his allies to lead a ‘No’ campaign, saying doing so would divide the country further.
By Emmanuel Masha/Mercy Kendi
