Uhuru Formally Receives BBI Report that Recommends Return of Prime Minister’s Seat

President Kenyatta on Monday formally received the much-awaited Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report.

The BBI taskforce led by their Chairman Senator Yusuf Haji handed over the report to Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga at State House, Nairobi. Also present was Deputy President William Ruto.

The report was prepared after the 14-member taskforce traversed the country collecting Kenyans’ views on key issues among them healing the nation, curing divisive politics and fostering cohesion in the country.

The taskforce was constituted in the aftermath of the historic handshake between Kenyatta and Odinga in March last year.

Among the recommendations made in the report is the re-introduction of the Prime Minister’s post, a mixed cabinet, and the allocation of more resources to county governments.

The report recommends a President with executive authority and who will be directly elected by the people, while the first runners up in a presidential election will be directly nominated to Parliament as leader of the official opposition. 

The report says the Executive will comprise the President, Deputy President, Prime Minister, and Cabinet Ministers. To be declared President, a candidate must garner at least 50 percent plus one vote, and at least 25 percent of total votes cast in at least 24 counties.

The President shall remain Head of State and Government, and Commander in Chief of the Defense Forces while the Deputy President, remains the President’s principal assistant, and running mate at the ballot, according to the report.

The Prime Minister shall be an elected member of the National Assembly and will be nominated by the President and approved by Members of Parliament. The PM shall control and supervise the execution of day-to-day functions and affairs of the government as well as be the leader of government business in Parliament and chair of Cabinet Sub-committees.

The report will be publicly unveiled on Wednesday at the Bomas of Kenya.