This archive report was first published on 26 October 2019.
As the release of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report draws near, Kenyans are eagerly awaiting the details of the document. However, the anticipation has been marred by speculation and misinformation, with some people opposing the report without fully understanding its contents.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga, who championed the initiative, have been criticized for being coy about releasing the report's details. This has led to a cacophony of opinions, with some people supporting the report based on their party affiliations and others opposing it due to misinformation.
The BBI task force was supposed to seek the views of the people, but the process was criticized for being elitist, with only a small group of people having a say in the matter. The task force relied on well-crafted papers delivered by academics, politicians, and business leaders, rather than engaging with ordinary Kenyans.
As a result, the views collected may not accurately represent the opinions of the majority of Kenyans. The report's recommendations, such as the creation of a prime minister position and the reduction of the number of regional governments, may not address the real needs of the people.
While the BBI report aims to address issues such as ethnic antagonisms and election rigging, a referendum may not be the best way to achieve these goals. The process of holding a referendum can be divisive and may not lead to the desired outcomes.
Deputy President William Ruto and his supporters have expressed concerns that the referendum is aimed at scuttling his 2022 ambitions and benefiting Raila Odinga and his team. The outcome of the referendum remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether it will tear the country apart or bring about positive change.
