President Kenyatta extends term of BBI Taskforce

President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have extended term of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Taskforce, following a meeting that was held at State House on Wednesday.

During the meeting the Head of State thanked the team for putting together a report that captures the aspirations of Kenyans and requested them to continue leading the BBI process.

The extension will allow the taskforce team to steer the next phase of the process which will largely involve expanding and guiding public participation, and structuring recommendations by Kenyans into implementable action plans.

The 14-member team led by Senator Yusuf Haji unveiled its report at the Bomas of Kenya on November 27 at an event that graced by Kenyatta, Odinga, DP Ruto and other dignitaries.

Public consultations

In a statement to newsrooms, State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena, said in the next phase, the team will widen public consultations and draw up an actionable implementation plan.

“The Taskforce will therefore steer the next phase of the process which will largely involve expanding and guiding public participation, and structuring recommendations by Kenyans into implementable action plans,” reads part of the statement.

However the statement released by Kanze Dena did not indicate the exact time period of the extended term.

While the political class has largely endorsed the initial draft presented by the Haji team at the Bomas of Kenya, rival political formations have differed on its implementation.

The BBI report recommended 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.