Busia County Assembly will reject Punguza Mizigo Initiative should Orange Democratic Movement party leader Raila Odinga direct so, a nominated MCA has said.
Mr Patrick Obongoya said Mr Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta will have a final say, adding that the Bill will be rejected on arrival.
Last week, Thirdway Alliance boss Ekuru Aukot managed to collect over a million signatures, which now gives him a go ahead to rally for a referendum in county assemblies.
He said Ekuru Aukot is after seeking popularity for his Third Way Alliance. “No Bill will pass through the assembly without the blessings of President Uhuru and ODM Leader Raila Odinga,” said Obongoya.
He urged Aukot to team up with Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and share with them what he wants changed in the constitution otherwise, Punguza Mzigo will not be supported by the expected 24 county assemblies.
“Soon the BBI team will be submitting their report to the President and former Premier Raila Odinga and chances of recommending for referendum are very high. We would rather wait for their report,” said Obongoya.
Already, the Bill has caused mixed reactions, with Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen asking MCAs to endorse it once it's tabled.
“MCAs have the greatest opportunity to stamp their authority by supporting Ekuru Aukot’s Punguza Mizigo initiative. They have been despised for far too long,” Mr Murkomen posted on his tweeter handle. He went on: “They should approve it overwhelmingly to remind all and sundry that devolution and its institutions matter.”
In a tweet, Aukot asked critics of his bill which targets among other, reduction of wage bill, to turn up for national dialogue instead of opposing it from villages.
"I invite my nomad brother @HonAdenDuale together with my nilotic brother and senior Counsel @orengo_james to a public debate on the #PunguzaMizigoBill2019. They should stop distorting facts about the Bill in their villages. Come to a national platform we debate," he said.