Uhuru-Raila select team begins work in June

What you need to know:

  • The team, selected two weeks ago has a secretariat co-chaired by lawyer Paul Mwangi for Mr Odinga and Martin Kimani for President Kenyatta.

The 14-member team of advisers to oversee the implementation of the deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga will commence work from the first week of June.

According to a statement signed by Ambassador Martin Kimani, one of the secretariat manning the team, the team is set to visit different parts of the country in the coming days.

REPORT

“The team shall be making periodic recommendations to President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga and will deliver a comprehensive report of its work at the end of the assignment,” reads the statement.

“They are honoured by the opportunity to advise two visionary leaders on bringing Kenyans together and are united in their faith that such leadership can indeed lead to a million handshakes and a united, fair and prosperous Kenya,” further reads the statement.

The team dubbed Advisors for the Building Bridges Initiative is made up of political and religious leaders as well as renowned scholars.

The team, selected two weeks ago has a secretariat co-chaired by lawyer Paul Mwangi for Mr Odinga and Martin Kimani for President Kenyatta.

The members are expected to establish the modalities for executing the nine-point plan in the communique released by Mr Odinga and Mr Kenyatta on March 9, after the handshake at Harambee House.

Both President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga agreed to address ethnic antagonism, lack of national ethos, inclusivity, strengthening devolution, ending divisive elections, ensuring safety and ending corruption.

The two leaders promised to unite and heal the country following the divisive 2017 General Election.

Mr Odinga has pegged the success of the March 9 deal on the amendment of the Constitution to restructure the presidency among other changes.