Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya and Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria differed publicly over the Building Bridges Initiative with the former terming those opposed to the constitutional changes as selfish and untruthful.
Whereas Kuria said he was ready to lead the ‘No’ brigade if no amendments were made on the draft on raising the number of MPs to 640, Munya said all the BBI proposals were beneficial to the country and the common man.
Munya said BBI would not only bring inclusivity and long-lasting peace which has always lacked during the election period but would also strengthen devolution by increasing county allocation by 35 percent.
The CS said BBI cannot address all the problems that the country faces, but will solve those that the government feels have derailed the country in some way.
He said countries with bigger economies enjoy accelerated economic development because they enjoy uninterrupted peace for a long period of time and that is what BBI plans to achieve through inclusivity and regional representation.
“Why would our friends led by Moses Kuria and his group oppose BBI despite all these good proposals. Don’t be lied to by these people. It is not that BBI is bad to them, but rather they don’t see themselves fitting in the BBI equation. They analyse it on grounds of how one will benefit from the proposals as an individual,” he said.
On his part, Kuria said most of the amendments that they had proposed as TangaTanga had been addressed and that should the proposal on representation be amended, they will support the draft.
He added that should the BBI pass without further amendments, the country would suffer a ballooning wage bill due to overrepresentation.
“Having one MP in Parliament for a year costs the country more than Sh54 million. What about if the number is increased to 640 as proposed in the BBI. We fear the country’s wage bill will be unmanageable and that is why we oppose it,” said Kuria.
The two were addressing a public participation meeting at Gathage in Gatundu South constituency to discuss proposed reforms in the coffee sector yesterday.
By Muoki Charles
