This archive report was first published on 10 December 2019.
December 10, 2019
Former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli once said, “That all power is a trust; that we are accountable for its exercise; that from the people and for the people all springs, and all must exist.” This timeless wisdom remains at the heart of any representative democracy.
However, many democracies face a challenge: politicians often do not feel the need to seek the opinion of the people, especially between elections. While frequent elections are not feasible due to the cost, there are other instruments that can gauge public opinion, such as referenda.
But referenda often oversimplify complex questions with a simple “yes” and “no” answer. This was evident in the recent Brexit debate in the UK. In Kenya, President Uhuru Kenyatta has taken a bold step to address the country's most pressing issues.
Despite having a majority in parliament, President Kenyatta chose to collaborate with his arch-rival Raila Odinga in a rare display of unity. Together, they identified nine key challenges facing Kenya, including ethnic antagonism, corruption, and a lack of national ethos.
The Building Bridges Initiative team traveled across the country, engaging with thousands of people to gather their views. The resulting BBI report, released at the Bomas of Kenya last month, is a testament to this unprecedented process.
When President Kenyatta received the report, it was the first time he or Mr. Odinga or any other executive had seen it. The President's decision to release the report in full was a deliberate attempt to involve every citizen in the process.
Once the document has been read and refined, it will be put to a vote, either through a referendum or parliamentary initiative. Regardless of the outcome, Kenya can be proud of a process that will be the envy of the world.
The BBI report is about giving power to the people, and Kenya is on the cusp of a new era in democracy.
