The decision by President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition chief Raila Odinga to extend the term of the Building Bridges Initiative task force has sparked controversy. Leaders across political divides say they expected a new team as other leaders question the reason behind extension.
Uhuru and Raila announced they have renewed the mandate of the task force just two weeks after the team handed in its report.
Critics have questioned whether public participation is really the reason for the extension pointing out that the Yusuf Haji-led team in their report’s declared that the document reflects some of the most extensive public consultations ever undertaken by a similar body in the country’s history.
BBI taskforce joint secretary Paul Mwangi has denied knowledge of the details of the extension and uged Kenyans to wait for a gazette notice. The developmet was communicated by State House spokesperson Kanze Dena-Mararo following a meeting by the two leaders at State House.
The move has divided opinion and raised questions than answes on why the two leaders chose to extend the term of the 14-member team as opposed to a committee of experts to steer the second phase of the process.
