Siaya County Assembly made history on Wednesday by becoming the first county in Kenya to approve the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Amendment Bill. The approval took place during a specially convened sitting gazetted by Speaker George Okode, following public participation forums held across all six subcounties. Residents were invited to contribute views either in person or through memoranda submitted to the assembly clerk prior to the sitting.
Speaker Okode confirmed that the bill was passed unanimously in accordance with constitutional and legislative procedures, including Article 196 (1)(b) and section 87 of the County Governments Act. Following the approval, Okode is expected to issue a certificate to the Speakers of both the National Assembly and the Senate, signaling the county’s formal endorsement of the amendment. Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga lauded the assembly’s swift action, urging other counties to emulate the process.
The BBI Bill, recently circulated by IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati to all 47 county assemblies, requires at least two-thirds of counties—24 assemblies—to approve it before a national referendum can be conducted. The move by Siaya sets the tone for other counties in the Nyanza region, with leaders signaling the importance of public engagement and adherence to due process before taking decisions on constitutional matters.