Building Bridges term extended by five months

President Uhuru Kenyatta meets members of the Building Bridges Initiative taskforce at State House, Nairobi. Also present during the meeting was former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. [File, Standard]

President Uhuru Kenyatta has extended the term of the Building Bridges Initiative team by five months.

The team, formed following Uhuru's unity deal with Opposition leader Raila Odinga, has been collecting public views on how to address grievances that trigger electoral violence.

The team's one-year-term was to end in May, but it now has until October 23 to present its report to Uhuru and Raila.

Gazetted in May

The 14-member task-force was gazetted at the end of May last year after the handshake between Uhuru and Raila following the disputed 2017 presidential election.

The team has had a crowded schedule in its attempt to visit the country's 47 counties.

The team is chaired by Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji, who is deputised by Adams Oloo.

The task-force has released its calendar for county visits as it rushes against time to complete its mandate.

The task-force is expected to table a report on policy and administrative reform proposals as well as implementation modalities for each identified area.

It is expected to hold consultations with citizens, church and cultural leaders, the private sector and experts at both the county and national levels.

The task-force has visited Nairobi, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Isiolo and Marsabit counties.

More counties

It has also visited Samburu, Laikipia, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Baringo, Bomet, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Narok, Kajiado, Vihiga, Kakamega and Busia.

This week, it is expected to visit Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii and Nyamira counties. Public hearings in Migori will be held tomorrow followed by Homa Bay on March 27, Kisii on March 28 and Nyamira on March 29.

Residents of Uasin Gishu, Turkana, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet will meet the task-force on April 9, 10, 11 and 12.

On April 23, the team will be in Lamu and Tana River, before visiting Kwale on April 24 and Taita Taveta on April 25.

May visits

The team will then visit Trans Nzoia on May 7, West Pokot on May 8 and Bumgoma on May 9.

Central Kenya counties of Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a and Kiambu will present their views to the task-force on May 21, 22, 23 and 24.

Kericho, Siaya and Kisumu will have their turn on June 4, 5 and 6.

The task-force will wind up its public sittings in Nairobi on June 18 and 19.

Paul Mwangi, one of the team's joint secretaries, has called on Kenyans to continue making submissions.