Building Bridges to a United Kenya: Taskforce Report

Presidential Taskforce on Building Bridges to Unity Advisory Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi.

His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, CGH, State House, Nairobi.

23 October 2019

Your Excellency,

You appointed this Taskforce by Gazette Notice No. 5154, published on 31 May 2018. It was our privilege, as per the mandate, to evaluate the national challenges outlined in the Joint Communiqué of 'Building Bridges to a New Kenyan Nation', and having done so, make practical recommendations and reform proposals that build lasting unity. We conducted comprehensive public consultations that included meetings with citizens in all 47 counties, hearing from elected leaders at the National and County levels, senior state officers, constitutional commissions, civil society and professional organisations, cultural leaders, the private sector, and subject-matter experts.

The Face of Kenya was captured in this process: more than 7,000 citizens from all ethnic groups, genders, cultural and religious practices, and different social and economic sectors were consulted. The Taskforce heard from more than 400 elected leaders past and present; prominent local voices from the community; and young people who added their voice to citizens in the Counties; 123 individuals representing major institutions, including constitutional bodies and major stakeholders in the public and private sectors; 261 individuals and organisations who sent memoranda via (e)mail; and 755 citizens who offered handwritten submissions during public forums in the Counties.

The result is the following policy, administrative reform proposals for each identified challenge area.

We now have the honour to submit our report, and to express our gratitude for the privilege to be of service to the Nation and to express our highest esteem to your Excellency.

Senator Mohamed Yusuf Haji (Chairperson & Member), Prof. Adams Oloo (Vice-Chairperson & Member), Mrs. Agnes Kavindu Muthama (Member), Senator Amos Wako (Member), Dr. Florence Omosa (Member), Prof. Saeed Mwaguni (Member), Mr. James Matundura (Member), Major John Seii (Member), Bishop Lawi Imathiu (Member), Hon. Maison Leshoomo (Member), and fellow taskforce members, together with Amb. Martin Kimani and Mr. Paul Mwangi, Joint Secretaries.

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The report's own structure, from its table of contents:

Executive Summary, followed by "Reading the BBI Report," then eleven substantive chapters and a conclusion:

1. Notable issues that Kenyans must deal with
2. Lack of a national ethos
3. Responsibilities and rights
4. Ethnic antagonism and competition
5. Divisive elections
6. Inclusivity
7. Shared prosperity
8. Corruption
9. Devolution
10. Safety and security
11. Commissions and cross-cutting issues
12. Conclusion

Followed by three annexes: detailed recommendations for each chapter; the original Joint Communiqué that founded the taskforce's mandate; and a full account of the taskforce's public participation process.