This archive report was first published on 25 December 2019.
On Christmas Day, Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), spoke at Nyamira ACK church in Bondo, Bondo Constituency, Siaya County, during a Christmas service.
He stated that the birth of the Building Bridges Initiative was an attempt by the country's leadership to respond to the challenges facing the country.
"From next year we will have a robust debate on BBI recommendations. They are not cast in stone. We will be open to any proposal so that what is implemented is agreeable to all," he said.
Mr. Odinga revisited the moments leading up to the handshake between him and President Uhuru Kenyatta, stating that it took them 19 hours of hard negotiations to agree to end the stalemate arising from the disputed 2017 polls.
He emphasized that the pressure and expectations were building up, and he had to make the difficult choice, sacrificing his personal ambitions for the sake of the country's unity.
Mr. Odinga also dispelled the notion that his truce with President Kenyatta was for political gain.
He rallied Kenyans behind the BBI initiative, stating that the journey towards realizing the independence dream will take time.
"I want to thank you for agreeing to stand firm and remaining patient amidst difficult economic times but the initiative we have embarked on will get us there," he said.
He acknowledged that it has not been easy trying to unite the country and cure the ills that the country has gone through over the years because some politicians who are beneficiaries of corruption and bad governance have been frustrating the efforts.
Mr. Odinga also stated that he is not opposed to the BBI report going through Parliament or through a referendum as long as the recommendations will be for the benefit of the people.
He, however, took issue with the Church, accusing it of sanitizing the ill-gotten wealth by accepting donations from politicians without questioning the source of the money.
Mr. Odinga called on the church to be at the forefront in championing the fight against graft and pushing for accountability among politicians.
"Church leaders stand guilty as charged if they are going to bed with those who troop in every Sunday with donations whose sources are questionable," he said.
He further added, "the Church itself needs prayers to be liberated from the yoke of corruption that is creeping into its leadership."
Mr. Odinga was accompanied by Siaya Governor Cornell Rasanga, Siaya Senator James Orengo, MPs Samuel Atandi (Alego-Usoga) and Mr. Elisha Odhiambo (Gem) among other leaders.
Mr. Orengo asked the country to prepare for a review of the Constitution next year, saying it was an appropriate time to relook at the 2010 document.
