Raila to lead building bridges campaigns in Kisii

Kisumu County Governor Anyang' Nyong'o while addressing the press at his office. [Collins Oduor/Standard]

ODM leader Raila Odinga will today launch campaigns to drum up support for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report in Kisii.

Raila, who will be accompanied by six governors from Nyanza, will lead more than 1,000 ODM delegates at Gusii stadium in introducing the report to the people.

Yesterday, The Standard established that each of the six Nyanza counties will sponsor 300 delegates to the meeting.

Speaking at a forum in Kisumu yesterday, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o confirmed that his administration will sponsor 300 delegates.

Prof Nyong’o (pictured), however, raised concerns over delays to gazette a technical committee that will implement the BBI team’s recommendations.

“We want the technical committee to be gazetted, so that the referendum can take place,” said Nyong’o.

He was accompanied by his deputy Ochieng Owili, MPs Olago Aluoch (Kisumu West), Aduma Owuor (Nyakach) and James Nyikal (Seme).

Echoing recent remarks by Siaya Senator James Orengo, that the referendum be held before July this year, the leaders also insisted that the vote should take place soon.

“The sooner we have the referendum the better,” said Mr Olago.

“It should happen before end of the year, so that it does not fall close to the 2022 General Election.”

The leaders said they would push for the gazettement of the technical team before the next regional meeting in Kakamega County on January 18.

“We want to keep up the referendum momentum,” said Mr Nyikal.

[Report by Erick Abuga, Stanley Ongwae and Dennis Onyango]