This archive report was first published on 5 January 2020.
As we welcome the New Year, it's a time for introspection and self-reflection. In Kenya, 2019 was a pivotal year, marked by significant events that shaped the country's future.
One of the most notable initiatives was the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), launched in March 2018, but gaining momentum in 2019. The BBI taskforce visited all 47 counties, listening to citizens' suggestions on how to make Kenya a better place for all.
According to Mahatma Ghandhi, 'I understand democracy as something that gives the weak the same chance as the strong.' The BBI epitomized this pillar of democracy, allowing people to have their opinions heard as they shaped the future of Kenya.
Another significant theme in 2019 was national unity. The March 9, 2018, handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga reverberated across the nation, keeping tribalism at bay and avoiding significant outbursts of violence.
However, the BBI also brought controversy, with opponents expressing their lack of acquiescence with sections of the report. Despite this, the debates remained peaceful and productive, a major step in Kenya's political system development.
Looking back, it's essential to remember the dangers of discord, as seen in the 2007-2008 Post-Election-Violence, which led to the loss of at least 1,000 lives. President Kenyatta's desire to preserve democratic rule and national unity enabled the country to focus on other issues, such as development projects and regional ties.
Notably, the country attracted significant foreign investment, including $1.5 billion in Chinese investment for the railway project, and investments in revolutionary projects like Tatu City. Improved security, democratic space, and national unity made these achievements possible.
As we look to 2020, a positive relationship among Kenyans, cultivated in 2019, will enable our country and people to grow as a beacon of African success.
