Pro-BBI leaders in Mt Kenya region hit the ground running in the race against time to popularize the proposed reforms, ahead of the referendum following an overwhelming endorsement by the regional county assemblies.
With the BBI constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2020 having cruised through the assemblies without the anticipated opposition, the Kikuyu Council of Elders Wednesday unveiled one of its strategies which will be spearheaded by the youths in the referendum campaigns.
The Kikuyu elders caucus intends to mobilize youth groups who will be expected to sensitize the local populace on the gains they would enjoy if they supported the passage of constitutional amendment.
The council’s National Chairman Dr. David Muthoga accompanied by the Ndaragwa Member of Parliament Jeremiah Kioni gave their blessing to the first batch of 150 youths who have been commissioned to popularize the proposed law changes ahead of the referendum expected sometimes mid- this year.
The council activated the group who will be among a battery of foot soldiers and who attended a one-day sensitization briefing on the contents of the BBI before being sent to grassroots to conduct civic education on the advantages to be derived from the passage of the Bill.
Muthoga who is also the council’s Nyeri County Chairman told the youths, “you have been sent as BBI ambassadors to educate and sensitize Wanjiku of the benefits that will be realized by endorsing the proposed reforms.”
He said the choice of the youths to spearhead the campaigns was a well thought out idea, adding that they had the charisma and time to champion the process.
“This is just but a start and this is a small group of about 150 youths drawn from the different parts of this county. We intend to recruit hundreds of foot soldiers to help us in driving this process forward,” said Muthoga while addressing the youths in Nyeri town.
Kioni on his part said the support that the regional assemblies gave to the Bill was a clear indication of the faith they had in the President and his handshake partner Raila Odinga in driving a process that would have immense benefits to the entire country.
The MP also highlighted the significant role that the youth will play in the constitutional change and urged them to redouble their efforts, while conducting civic education to ensure acceptance by the local people, adding they too stood to benefit immensely with the passage of the Bill.
“Comprehensive civic education and sensitization on the benefits to be derived from this Bill ought to be done in a systematic and holistic manner in order to guarantee acceptability by Wanjiku,” said the legislator.
Added the MP, “We condemn all those who have been circulating false information and incitement clips concerning the BBI over social media. The passage of the Bill overwhelmingly by the county assemblies has proved the naysayers wrong.”
The two leaders lauded President Kenyatta for pitching camp in the region which initially was perceived to be anti-BBI saying his efforts were not in vain as the document had received unparalleled support.
Peter Munga, the council’s Secretary General told the youths to rise up and sit on the country’s leadership table and shun leaders who have perfected the art of using and later dumping them while pursuing their political interests.
Speaking on behalf of the youth, Martha Wanjiru Miano said they had resolved to support the elder’s initiative without any conditions and were unanimous in their support for President Kenyatta.
by Evans Ngatia/Kiamah Wamutitu
