President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga on Sunday unveiled a national dialogue team to help implement their unity deal.
The 14-member team is tasked with working out the practical steps to be taken to address various national concerns.Among those nominated are Adams Oloo, Saeed Mwangumi, Florence Amose, Agnes Kavindu, James Matundura, John Seii and Morompi Ole Ronkai.Others are Amos Wako, Mohamed Yusuf Haji, Maison Leshomo and Rose Moseu.Lawi Imathiu, Peter Njenga and Zacheus Okoth have also been included in the team.Termed 'Building Bridges Initiative', the group will work under the secretariat jointly headed by Ambassador Martin Kimani and lawyer Paul Mwangi.Various leaders across the country have expressed mixed reactions following the unveiling of the unity team."The 14-member team unveiled by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga is a very good team. The two leaders have humbled themselves. They decided that Kenya is greater than the two of them," said Makueni MP Dan Maazo.Mathare Member of Parliament Anthony Aluoch said the unity team was equal to the task."I think that Uhuru and Raila did a good job with the 14-member team. However, they could have done better with gender," he observed.Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi challenged the team to 'uncover elements that trigger political divide in the country'."For the first time, I think the President sat down and looked at the names himself. He decided that he needed wise people around him. This team has to understand that there are current agendas that are very critical," Elachi said.The leaders made the remarks on Monday when they were hosted on Citizen TV Power Breakfast show.