NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 16 – Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit has urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to set up a new team to steer the implementation of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) proposals or expand the current one to include technical experts.
Addressing a news conference where he gave the Church’s position, Sapit said work on the report needs fresh minds devoid of political affiliation.
“I urge the President to reconsider his decision to extend the term of the BBI team. The team has done a commendable job. They should not be required to shepherd the process of trying to identify whatever loose ends in the process and rolling out the implementation process. This should instead be handed to a team of experts, with youth representation. We also urge the inclusion of those who have felt left out in the previous BBI process,” the ACK Archbishop stated, days after President Kenyatta extended the term of the Senator Yusuf Haji-led team.
The Archbishop urged Kenyans to read and understand the document for the “betterment of the country.”
“I urge Kenyans to take time to read the BBI Report, be positive and have a conversation about it at every level. The conversation must focus on what we can do with the problems the report documents, which of its recommendations help us to address those problems, and how we can implement those recommendations and move the country forward,” he stated.
And he wants Kenyans to be given a chance to engage in the amendments of the report.
“The opportunity for the conversation is to enable us to build consensus on solving all the problems that face us as a nation in an atmosphere that divides and not separate. I urge all people to discuss with a view to building and not destroying our nation,” said the clergy head who warned of a dispute unless there is inclusivity in steering the process.
The team led by Garissa Senator Haji unveiled its report at the Bomas of Kenya on November 27 at an event attended by President Kenyatta and his BBI partner Raila Odinga.
The draft recommends a non-Executive Prime Minister as leader of government business in the National Assembly with the positions of President and Deputy President retained in their current form.
