It makes sense that Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) discourse be delinked from 2022 election to enable citizenry objective and fair engagement with its fundamental disposition and to make rational decision about it.
At the same time it is undeniable that Kenya is facing economic, social and political crisis that may worsen with the looming global recession. Experience of practice in the body polity shows evidence of indifference to tackling the crisis and an unfortunate focus on unworthy political public relations.
In the meantime, the country is sliding backwards in economic fundamentals, quality of health cares, education system, agricultural productivity and overall quality of life.
These are fundamental priority concerns to Kenyans much as they rank below constitutional reform to the politicians. Irrespective, the crisis presents a challenge to business as usual polity and mirrors a strong demand for renewed patriotism and collective rethinking of alternative leadership style and model of development.
Both are feasible only in socio-political circumstances permitting emergence of new caliber of leaders with fresh and progressive political thinking and uncorrupted patriotism.
The truism is that the discourse need delinking from 2022 politics but we are also in dichotomous situation because also you cannot ignore concern about BBI potential mischief of political scheming for 2022.
There is the fear that BBI is about restructuring politics with ultimate effect of denying Kenyans possibility of a liberalized political market in 2022 capable of offering alternative leadership that can give Kenya a new beginning. Kenyans are fatigued of polity of patronage and tribalism.
Patrick Tom Odongo
The author is a Consulting Urban Planner