The 9th March handshake by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga has for sometime now faced backlash from a number of Kenyan Politicians who have argued that the duo decided to put their differences for their own selfish gains.
After the handshake, a 14-member Building Bridges initiative (BBI) was formed and officially gazetted after which it was given a year to submit a comprehensive report.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga established the taskforce comprising Adams Oloo , Agnes Kavindu, Senator Amos Wako, Florence Omose, Saeed Mwanguni, James Matundura, Major John Seii, Bishop Lawi Imathiu, Maison Leshomo, Senator Mohamed Yusuf Haji, Morompi ole Ronkai Prof., Bishop Peter Njenga, Rose Moseu, Archbishop Zecheus Okot to operationalise their reconciliation.
That came in the wake of post-election bad blood that was tearing the nation apart.
The taskforce’s joint secretaries are Amb. Martin Kimani and Paul Mwangi.
The taskforce has been going round the Country to collect views by a number of Kenyans, leaders and various stakeholders on how to have a better Kenya free of hatred, one built on inclusivity and Unity.
Their activities have however angered a section of leaders who have argued that the whole handshake thing and the BBI are part of an elaborate to settle political scores especially with DP William Ruto who is eyeing the Presidency come 2022.
Well, Statehouse has now come out to refute these claims. Through Spokesperson Kanze Dena, Statehouse has maintained that the BBI is about uniting Kenyans and Promoting Peace in the Country.
“The #BuildingBridgesInitiative by President Kenyatta and @RailaOdinga is about uniting Kenyans and promoting peace in our country. For us to achieve our goals and aspirations as a nation we must promote unity and live peacefully with our neighbours” Said Kanze.
“Respect is not slavery. As Kenyans we must reach a point where we respect each other. We only have one country and if we burn it down, we will not have anywhere else to go. Let us all protect our heritage and live peacefully with one another” @KanzeDena | @radiomaisha
— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) May 13, 2019
She stressed that Kenyans must respect each other and safeguard the interests of the Country because destryoing it will lead to grave consequences.
“Respect is not slavery. As Kenyans we must reach a point where we respect each other. We only have one country and if we burn it down, we will not have anywhere else to go. Let us all protect our heritage and live peacefully with one another” she added.
“The #BuildingBridgesInitiative by President Kenyatta and @RailaOdinga is about uniting Kenyans and promoting peace in our country. For us to achieve our goals and aspirations as a nation we must promote unity and live peacefully with our neighbours” @KanzeDena | @radiomaisha
— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) May 13, 2019