This archive report was first published on 20 October 2019.
BBI Team Faces Challenges in Gathering Public Opinion ¶
As the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) team continues its efforts to gather public opinion on constitutional reforms, it has faced numerous challenges, including bribery attempts and interference from government officials.
According to a report by the Nation, a senior government official attempted to bribe BBI team members to influence their work. The official, who has not been named, allegedly met with some BBI team members in secret meetings, offering them bribes in exchange for their cooperation.
"We were promised something good, but we decided to be guided by our values," one BBI team member said in an interview with the Nation.
Despite these challenges, the BBI team remains committed to its mission of gathering public opinion on constitutional reforms. The team, which was established by President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga, has been working tirelessly to engage with Kenyans and gather their views on the proposed reforms.
However, the team has also faced interference from government officials, who have been monitoring their activities and trying to influence their work. "The chairman, Yusuf Haji, or his deputy, Adams Oloo, would often receive calls from the two officials," the Nation reported.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga have been at the forefront of the BBI initiative, which aims to bring about constitutional reforms and promote unity and development in the country. In a speech in Mombasa on October 20, Raila Odinga urged Kenyans to support the BBI initiative, saying, "BBI is coming, and I urge you to support it."
