I’m Proud of 3 County Assemblies that Rejected BBI – Murkomen Says as Judge Punctures Appeal

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has hailed Baringo, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties for voting against the BBI Bill.

In a tweet on Friday, Murkomen noted that he was proud of the three county assemblies, especially after Justice Patrick Kiage found that the other assemblies erred in passing the Bill.

“Listening to Justice Kiage I am very proud of the county assemblies of Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi. Well done!” he tweeted.

While reading his ruling on Friday, Justice Kiage held the view that the BBI process did not incorporate public participation as envisaged in the Constitution.

"The people were not mere observers or peripheral players in the making of the 2010 Constitution. They were wielders and shapers of destiny not mere instrumentalities for the formal adoption of a document conceived, gestated and birthed by the political power elites," Kiage ruled.

On the role of the County Assemblies in passing the BBI Bill, Justice Kiage held the view that most of the assemblies passed the Bill as a sign of loyalty to party chiefs.

He further noted that the MCAs were keen to secure car grants and other benefits that the Head of State had announced a few weeks before the Bill was tabled in the assemblies.

“The Constitution deliberately states that counties shall consider the bill for 90 days. What was witnessed in many counties was a farcical disregard of the people. A mad rush to demonstrate personal gratitude and party loyalty for the car grant received. The people did not matter,” he opined.