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Today marks two years since the March 2018 Handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga which is credited for not only stabilising the country but opening the window for a national conversation on Kenya’s most pressing issues.

Their vision is captured in the Building Bridges Initiative which is in the second phase of public discussions as the Yusuf Haji-led taskforce strives to meet its June deadline.

The initiative seeks to address political exclusion, poll-related violence, lack of national ethos, corruption, representation and sharing of national wealth.

The country has for the past two years been discussing the BBI campaign with various regions, professionals and the political elite articulating themselves on the Kenya they want.

Besides the battle for self-determination, and the 2010 debate that yielded the current Constitution which is celebrated as one of the most progressive in the world, Kenyans have not had an opportunity to express themselves on their nationhood. That is what the BBI presents.

Already, Kenyans have given their views on critical matters, some of which have proved to be emotive.

There has been salient proposals on the structure of the executive, especially the proposal to create the position of prime minister and representation that ensures gender equity.

From the presentations, it is apparent some people are in favour of a pure presidential system while others are proposing a parliamentary model.

There have also been radical proposals on the sharing of wealth, with communities pushing for a formula that will directly benefit ordinary folk, factoring in population as well as land mass.

Political division and acts of political self-preservation have been some of the unfortunate outcomes of the national unity campaign.

There are those who have expressed reservations that the BBI is calculated to frustrate their political ambitions while groups have taken the position that their recommendations must be accommodated for the project to succeed. 

Some have demanded implementation of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission and the Ndung’u land reports to address historical injustices.

Our understanding is that the BBI project was an opportunity for the country to have a national reflection on itself. It is a historic opportunity that should not be wasted.