Bungoma ODM leadership from Bungoma County yesterday were sensitized on BBI report by Kenyan ambassador to Congo Dr. George Masafu. Addressing the leadership, Dr Masafu said BBI report has goodies for the people of Bungoma County as the county will get more constituencies according to the proposals where there will be a creation of another three constituencies, Tongaren, Bumula and Kanduyi. These could be divided into two each as they are among the largest constituencies that have more than six wards and this has hampered development in the said areas.
Dr. Masafu said that the creation of more constituencies will increase development and wananchi will get services closer to them and that will create job opportunities as the offices will have staffs. He farther said if the BBI goes through, then counties will get more money from exchequer from 15 percent to 35 percent and in addition wards will get ward funds of up to 40 million which he says will help a lot in development, up to the villages in terms of infrastructure and urged people of Bungoma to support the BBI initiative as it will benefit the common mwananchi.
He lauded ODM party for having great political structures. On their party ODM, county leadership agreed in unison led by the county chairman and who is also Maraka ward MCA Mr. Ali Machani Mutoka to support the BBI report and hailed Dr. Masafu for detailed information over the BBI report and agreed to go out as leaders to sensitize the community over the report.His sentiments were echoed by the party county youth leader Felix Ngala who said they have all the reasons as youths to support the BBI report especially because of tax relief that will help many youths who are not financially stable.
However, nominated MCA Soffie Marumbu urged women to join politics and run for political seats saying women are only eyeing the women rep seat yet we have many more seats like that of members of parliament and even governor adding that ODM party will field all political seats and are keen not to involve themselves in any coalition which she said has cost them in the last two general elections and made them loose many seats and hence perform poorly.
She said they are planning to revamp the party from the ward level and recruiting many members a drive that is set to be launched soon by the national office. The party also agreed to work with Dr. Masafu incase he has political interests saying he will be a valuable member and are ready to support his political dream.