BBI politics took the centre stage at the funeral of mwalimu Erastus Asige Amis at Maliki Village in Milima ward Tongaren constituency with both opposing and supporting camps tearing into each other. The first to open the fireworks was Narc Kenya party leader Mrs Martha Karua who said she opposes BBI report because unlike the 2005 and 2010 referendum, the government has not provided booklets for Kenyans to read for themselves and make an informed decision on whether to support it or reject it, adding that in the past two referendums, Kenyans were given booklets on time and read well before they voted. She said BBI could be having issues that may not be in the interest of many common Kenyans and that is why the proponents and the government is not ready to produce the report to Kenyans.
Martha Karua argues that many Kenyans are enlightened and can read without being coursed by the government of the day and also questioned on the timing, saying Kenya has a lot of important issues to address. Among these issues is the strike of nurses and doctors which has affected health services to many hospitals, saying the government should use the 14 billions to settle health workers issues and also spend some in education of children as some schools in the country are in pathetic conditions, that could not help them sustain regulations put up by the Ministry of Health to curb the Covid-19 pandemic.
Her sentiments were echoed by three members of Parliament among them Hon Charles Gemose of Hamisi constituency who said that if 15% from the exchequer has been a problem to get the 35% will not realized and said this is to make counties vote for the report yet some issues will never be met. On his side Hon John Sakwa Bunyasi of Nambale constituency said none of his electorate has received the BBI report booklet to read adding that even as a legislature doesn’t understand the report but urged the government to print booklets in different languages to provide an opportunity for citizens to read carefully and make a formidable decision.
However, Bungoma Deputy Governor Prof Charles Ngome and Khwisero Mp hon Christopher Aseka lauded the report saying his constituency has received booklets and are ready to vote for the report saying it has a lot of goodies especially for the people of western Kenya, who are going to receive more constituencies and asked residents of Tongaren to support the report saying they will receive one more constituency which will enhance development for the people. He accused some MPs for being mean with facts saying some MPs signed up the report in Nairobi but are now denying, something he says is double standard. He said he is confident that the report will sail through.
Bungoma county Deputy Governor Prof. Charles Ngome said devolution stands out to be the biggest beneficiary as more monies will be send to the counties and more so members of county assembly will have their kitty that can enhance development without MCAs necessarily depending on the mercies of the governor. The issue of succession politics of 2022 also never escaped the politicians, most of them drumming support for ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi saying he is ripe and ready for the job. He continued to say even the president endorsed him during the funeral of his mother last weekend at Mululu village.
Sabatia MP. Alfred Agoi said Mudavadi is the main spokesman of Luhya people and the best choice for 2022. He urged other politicians from western Kenya to support him fully saying he is the only leader who can be accepted fully from other people outside western. He added that during his time as the finance minister, the economy went up “with the blessing of the president himself during the weekend, we are assured of Musalia winning the presidency in 2022 and what he only needs is support from his home which is western” said Agoi.
Bungoma Deputy Governor Prof. Charles Ngome said, most leaders from western Kenya region aren’t moving places to consolidate their political base and asked Musalia Mudavadi, Mukhisa Kituyi and any other leader to move around the country and not his home backyard. The family led by David Asige said the late Erastus Asige was a very hardworking teacher who wanted the best for his family and the community at large adding that people should take education with seriousness it deserved to achieve in life.