BBI taskforce gets new mandate as President Kenyatta extends tenure

President Uhuru Kenyatta has extended the term of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) taskforce.

The extension set to be gazetted soon will see the BBI team help navigate national discourse on the report unveiled on November 25, 2019.

In extending the term of the team, the President has tasked the taskforce with guiding the next phase of the BBI, which includes expanding and guiding public participation

The 15-member team chaired by Wajir Senator Yusuf Haji has also been tasked with structuring recommendations gathered from Kenyans into action plans that can be implemented.

This will dictate whether a referendum or parliamentary amendment to the constitution will be required to effect and anchor the proposed changes in law. The gap on whether to follow the parliamentary or referendum avenue was bridged when the team allied to Deputy President William Ruto mellowed stating it was open to discussion.

The BBI report was officially launched at the Bomas of Kenya in November before 4700 delegates, marking a culmination of 15 months journey of criss-crossing the country to collect views.

Among its radical proposals is the introduction of a prime minister position and the office of the official leader of opposition.

The Executive, according to BBI, should include the President, a Deputy President, a Prime Minister, and Cabinet Ministers.