This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
On March 9, 2018, a historic handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga (More by this Author) marked a significant shift in Kenya's political landscape, bringing about a remarkable reconciliation and a joint push for solutions to the country's socio-economic challenges.
However, the handshake has also had unintended consequences, including fueling an intra-Jubilee Party tussle between factions supporting or opposing Deputy President William Ruto's bid in the 2022 succession.
The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), spawned by the handshake, was meant to be a forum for discussing ideas and proposals on how to fix the nation's problems. However, it has been criticized for lacking inclusivity, with many Kenyans unaware of its activities and opposition politicians calling for its expansion.
As the country considers a possible referendum on the Constitution that could drastically alter the governance structure, there is a need for more openness and inclusivity to forge a national consensus on the way forward.
