Forget about Punguza Mizigo, wait for BBI, Raila tells Migori MCAs

ODM leader Raila Odinga with Migori Governor Okoth Obado and Uriri MP Mark Nyamita arrive at the burial ceremony of Bishop Joseph Ogutu Magaka of St John Everlasting Church at Rinya Village in Uriri, Migori County. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]

ODM leader Raila Odinga has told Migori County assembly to reject the Punguza Mizigo bill when it comes to the assembly for debate.

Raila who was speaking at Rinya village in Uriri Sub-county Migori on Friday during the burial of Bishop Joseph Ogutu ofSt John Everlasting Church said there is an agreement that Building Bridges Initiative is the only way to go.

“These issue of Punguza Mizigo, Punguza Punda we don’t know, we want Migori County Assembly to reject the bill once it is brought in the assembly for debate,” Said Raila.

Raila told Migori Governor Obado that the county should take a queue from Siaya county assembly that rejected the Ekuru Aukot-led bill.

“We have some counties which are still reluctant on the matter, we want our people to lead so that judgment can be made that we don’t know Punguza Mizigo and what we know is BBI,” said Raila.

Governor Obado said he supports the handshake between the ODM leader and President Uhuru Kenyatta and their initiatives.

“I really want to support you Raila because your programmes through the handshake including the ongoing revival of Kisumu port will uplift our people's living standards,” said Obado.

Obado urged Raila to make sure the ongoing Kisumu port revival is extended to Muhuru and Sori to ease the movement of people and goods through the lake.

“We also have hope as Migori people that Sori and Mihuru ports will be revived so that we will have time to travel through the lake,” Obado added.

Uriri MP Mark Nyamita warned the MCA to reject the bill or else they should be ready to go home.

“The Punguza Mizigo bill will not address Kenyans' problems and lacks blessing from most Kenyans,” he said.

Raila was accompanied by his wife Ida Odinga, former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma, Migori Senator Ochilo Ayacko, County Woman Rep Pamela Odhiambo, county speaker Boaz Okoth and former Migori MP John Pesa among others.