By Sarah Omondi
President Uhuru Kenyatta has for the second time insisted that the constitutional changes process through the Building Bridges Initiative that was stopped by the Judiciary will make a comeback.
Exactly 12 days after Mr Kenyatta said that which did not happen will happen during his State of the Nation address, the Head of State, during the 57th Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru gardens, said though BBI had encountered some legal obstacles, it was just a dream deferred.
“One day, someday, it will happen because the country cannot survive ethnic majoritarianism and exclusion just as it cannot survive unfair and skewed representation. This is a design defect that we must fix,” Mr Kenyatta said.
Besides increasing shareable revenue to counties to 35 percent from 15 percent thereby promoting devolution, the President said the expanded executive would end perennial post-election disagreements caused by the winner-take-it-all kind of election.
The Head of State took the opportunity to remind Kenyans the nation’s history which he said offered invaluable lessons to be learnt and gave context to the present.
Learning from the past, he said, will help the country build on its good, avoid its mistakes and act as constant reminder of the ugly.
“Even as we forgive we should never forget,” he said.
Mr Kenyatta also emphasized on the need for unity among leaders in the nation building process which he said no single person or group of persons could undertake it alone.
“Nation-building is not a sprint but relay. Our founding fathers were not a team because they worked together but because they reinforced each other and had deep respect and trust for one another,” he said in what was perceived to be a jab on his deputy William Ruto.
“They taught us that nation-building is like building a house. This endeavor is indeed a product of teamwork, not individualism. They built a firm foundation for a prosperous Kenya. Others amongst them built the walls and others roofed the house. Everyone had a role to play. And no role was greater than the other”.
The President said leaders, while in the nation-building process, can sometimes disagree but must remain respectful saying respectful disagreements lead to reconciliation because “when we disagree, it is a sign we are making progress”.
“We are building a house called Kenya and there is no place for one-manism in this project. It is the collective work of every able-bodied Kenyan. And yes, we will disagree sometimes, but in our disagreements, we must remain respectful,” he said.
The 2007/08 election violence, Mr Kenyatta said, was a clear indication that politics of exclusion in which the winner-takes-it-all was not good for our country and therefore need to change the Constitution and expand the executive to accommodate the excluded.
His Handshake with ODM Leader Raila Odinga in 2018, he said, happened because they saw a crack on the wall of Kenya after having run two elections that he said costed the country Sh1 trillion in business losses therefore need to unite and mend the crack.
“Because we had disagreed respectfully, we knew that this was a mark of progress. It was difficult, but the necessity, the reason and the recognition that we as Kenyans needed each other, nation before self, as our forefathers had taught us to come together, reinforced our resolve,” the Head of State revealed.
The President handed over Presidential and regimental colours to the 19th Infantry Battalion of the Kenya Army and said Defence Forces soldiers must be celebrated because when they go to war in defense of our borders while knowing too well that they will either return hoisting our national flag; or return wrapped in our national flag.
Mr Kenyatta announced that plans to reduce the cost of electricity by over 30% were on course and will be implemented in two tranches of 15 percent each; with the first 15% achieved through initial actions focusing on system and commercial losses, to be reflected in the December bills, and a further 15% reduction, in the first quarter of 2022.
“In realizing the second tranche of the reduction in power bills, the Ministry of Energy has initiated engagements with Independent Power Producers aimed at renegotiation of power purchase agreements; so as to give better value for money for consumers,” he noted.
Deputy President William Ruto said the Jamhuri Celebrations gave Kenyans an opportunity to reflect on the past and also the future that focuses on equal opportunity to all.
Whether by design or coincidence, President Kenyatta invited Mr Odinga to address the crowd after making his address in what many believe indicated the Head of State’s preference for former Premier as his successor.
“It would not be fair if I fail to thank one of us here. He has been giving me advice. Raila Odinga,” he said prompting cheers among the crowd.
“It seems the elders (Wazee) want you to address them. Come forward and greet them,” Mr Kenyatta asked the ODM Leader to the podium.
Mr Odinga, who last Friday launched the Azimio la Umoja Movement, echoed the President’s statements saying the past was as important as the present and future.
“If we do not look at the past, we might repeat the same mistakes we made years ago,” he said while lauding Mr Kenyatta for having a great vision for the country which he said will be remembered years after his term expires.
The presidential aspirant also hailed the government for retrieving the Uhuru gardens land which had reportedly been grabbed.
Mr Kenyatta announced that the Uhuru gardens and a Museum will be officially opened by April next year to allow learners visit and learn the nation’s history at no costs.
The President honoured several Kenyans including National Covid-19 Taskforce Chairperson Dr Willis Akhwale and Sgt Salim Mohammed of Kenya Defence Forces who saved his colleagues despite having been shot five times on his leg after their vehicle ran on an explosive device in September 2020.
Also honoured were athletes Faith Kipyegon and Peris Chepchirchir among others who got Elder of Burning Spear and Order of Grand Warriors awards.
