Reach out to sceptics and embrace inclusivity to achieve BBI agenda

The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) brigade was in Mombasa yesterday to make a case for a process they say will address Kenya’s longstanding political problems. In a show of political might only reminiscent of the 2005 Banana and Orange campaigns, the Uhuru Kenyatta-Raila Odinga backed group declared the BBI train unstoppable. The group has, in the last two weeks, held similar meetings in Kakamega and Kisii counties where speakers displayed political brinkmanship seen in verbal attacks on Deputy President William Ruto, who’s seen to be averse to BBI and the handshake.

Yesterday however, there was a semblance of order. Most speakers stuck to the agenda of the meeting and allies of the DP were allowed to speak. There had been fears the Ruto team would be humiliated. In the end luckily, no drama ensued. We believe such is the spirit that should define the BBI campaigns. The drive should be about Kenyans and the future of the nation. It shouldn’t be fodder for toxic political exchanges and early 2022 campaigns.