Kenyatta-Odinga Handshake Team to Make Countrywide Tours

The 14-member team selected to implement the unity pact between President Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga is set to start its work at the beginning of June.

In a statement, Ambassador Martin Kimani, the joint chairman of the committee, said the team will tour different parts of the country starting next month to seek Kenyans' views.

“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 group, dubbed "Advisors for the Building Bridges Initiative" consists of political and religious leaders as well as accomplished scholars. Kimani, who represents President Uhuru's camp, will co-chair the team alongside lawyer Paul Mwangi from Odinga's side.

The team, which was unveiled two weeks ago, will among other things establish the modalities for executing the nine-point agenda in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Odinga and Kenyatta.

The issues to be addressed in the March 9th handshake deal include; ethnic antagonism, lack of national ethos, inclusivity, strengthening devolution, ending divisive elections, ensuring safety and ending corruption.