Kenya’s Leaders Advance Plans For Constitutional Reform

President Kenyatta and several Kenyan opposition parties have agreed that the current presidential system needs reworking in order to provide better representation for the ethnically diverse nation. 

Raila Odinga and the Orange Democratic Movement, Kalonzo Musyoka and the Wiper Democratic Movement, Musalia Mudavadi and the Amani National Congress, Moses Wetang’ula and Ford-Kenya, and Gideon Moi’s Kanu are lending their support to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and working on a unity pact.

The BBI team has been undertaking consultations across the country and is expected to deliver a report on the initiative shortly. Among the prospective changes that could feature are the inclusion of a prime minister and two deputies within the executive and the ability to appoint MPs to Cabinet.

Any proposed change to the constitution will be put to national referendum, which could take place in early 2020. It is not yet clear where Deputy President William Ruto stands of the matter, with speculation that he may opt to oppose the recommendations.