Political noise shouldn’t divert our focus from BBI

Raila Odinga chats with Yusuf Haji during the BBI rally in Garissa town. [Standard]

Last weekend, the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) caravan arrived in Garissa County, one of Kenya’s frontier counties and a place I call home. Even my people were not spared the ecstasy of the BBI - after all, we own it.

The co-chair, Yusuf Haji, is a local. And most importantly, the people of the north have been made to feel and look like outsiders in their own country.

A lot was said, but the insistence on unity and peace came out loud, and I echo those words. The enthusiasm was a clear indicator that if not politicised, this noble initiative can positively change how we conduct and view our politics.

That to me is something worth fighting for. Unfortunately, with success comes enemies. When someone or something is successful, some might try to appropriate the achievement, but others will try and merely knock it down.

Where countless, varied interests collide, there is bound to be friction. Often good friction, at times bad. Lest we forget, the Building Bridges Initiative is an unprecedented public-led process to try and deal with the issues that our people have faced over the years.

What makes BBI historic is that while it was initiated by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila Odinga and an assortment of other early engagers, from the earliest moments it was handed to the people to provide suggestions and make the choices they believed in for themselves, their communities and the nation as a whole.

National ethos

When the BBI report was released, it received overwhelmingly positive feedback. The people had some innovative and inventive ideas about how to deal with the issues of ethnic antagonism, lack of national ethos, inclusivity, devolution, divisive elections, security, corruption, shared prosperity and responsibility.

One could almost feel the hooray moment then at the Bomas of Kenya. If we use a football analogy, the BBI had a great first half. Now is the time for the second half, where the report has gone back to the people for more input before the final result and perhaps a referendum. It is encouraging that many of us are taking this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and process with the utmost seriousness. There were those who wanted to grab the ball and run out of the pitch. It is comforting that all have fallen in line and it is all systems go.

Going by the furore over comments by Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina, it is unfortunate that he said what he said. Such comments leave a foul taste in the mouths of the people, which takes time and effort to cure.

Make no mistake, I am not taking away the rights of those who feel aggrieved to speak their mind about the so-called injustices. Neither am I for glossing over the issues. Not at all, after all, BBI ‘ni kufungua roho’ (pouring out ones heart). My worry is that words uttered out of context, and with little consideration of the common good risk inflaming passions and undermining what lay at the heart of BBI.

Counter argument

Have in mind that initially, some of the politicians wanted the legislation of the document fast-tracked and enacted into law, yet it was very likely that many had not read the report, or at least studied it properly with the requisite advice or engagement.

It could also be that some of the sticky issues had been left out. But then, that should not open the floodgates because the counter argument to what the senator said could sting harder than his initial comments.

To my understanding, that initial report was meant to provide a more succinct framework for further debate. Obviously, the issues could not be open-ended forever, so they needed to be focused on some proposals that were popular and made sense within a Kenyan political and social context.

The idea was for the BBI team to get back on the road and listen to different opinions on the proposals; the necessary back-and-forth for a well-baked initiative.

An engaged and informed public is good for progress. Leaders must encourage their followers to not just follow them blindly, they ought to think for themselves and be aware of all the facts involved.

Opening up BBI to public discourse is out of the realisation that there are many politicians who want to use populism and empty slogans to keep the people ignorant. That should not be allowed. The BBI had a great first half and a successful team talk at half-time. Now it is in our hands to get the outcome we deserve. Do not let those who want the people to lose to steal the result from us.

Mr Guleid is the CEO of Frontier Counties Development Council. [email protected]