Calls for a referendum to reduce the number of elected representatives in the country, has seen a number of firebrand Jubilee party members support opposition leader and NASA Principal Raila Odinga.
Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria, is the latest to have joined a growing list of Jubilee MPs who want the referendum to take place,saying that the cost of upholding the 2010 constitution was too much.
“Today I am proud to note that despite the fact that we could not Marshall the 1 Million signatures, the seed we planted was only dying with a view to germinating again. Today many voices and forces have sprung up to say the same thing. Reducing the number of elected positions is an idea whose time has come up.” Stated his Facebook post.
Jubilee Referendum supporters
Other Jubilee MPs who have thrown their weight behind the calls for referendum are; Michael Muchira (Ol-Joro Orok), Subukia’s Kinuthia Gachobe, Kimani Kuria of Molo, Faith Gitau (Nyandarua Women Rep), Patrick Mariru of Laikipia West, Mr Patrick Munene (Chuka-Igamba-Ng’ombe), Mathioya’s Peter Kimari and nominated MP Maina Kamanda.
Despite Kuria supporting Odinga’s move, he has gone ahead to warn Mr. Odinga against taking advantage of referendum by creating the Prime Minister’s position and introduction of a parliamentary system of governance.
“We know that there are some leaders who want to take advantage of the constitution amendments and push for the creation of some non-existing positions. They should forget this because it will not be possible,” said Kuria.
Jubilee rift
However, this is most likely to cause a rift in the ruling party following Deputy President William Ruto’s consistent calls that for referendum were not Jubilee’s priority as opposed to MPs allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Majority Leader in National Assembly Aden Duale, has in the recent past days opposed the proposal to have referendum to alter Kenya’s political landscape.
“Jubilee party will not be involved in the debate about reducing the number of electoral seats until it gets direction from Preident Uhuru Kenyatta. Our prime focus is the Big Four Agenda,” said Duale.
Raila Odinga had told Kenyans to prepare for a referendum next year 2019 after the Building Bridges initiative is done with collecting public views and compiling a report.
Raila told Kenyans that the move would be part of the initiative to fix the country’s everlasting challenges which include electoral, judicial and governance, a pact agreed upon during the March 9 handshake between him and President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“The referendum will be the best thing for Kenyans as they will have the opportunity to address some of the long running problems that have been facing them,” he said when he officially opened the Unaitas Sacco Kisumu branch office.
The task force according to Odinga has been allocated Sh100 million and is expected to finish its report in the next six months.
“We agreed with the President that as soon as the task force finishes collecting views across the country, the buck will stop with the people through another vote,” said Raila.
The 14-member task force was formed after the ceremonious March 9 handshake between Odinga and the Head of State.
Kenyatta had earlier on differed with opposition Chief on the referendum matter in May after the handshake.
Speaking at State House during a meeting that brought together stake holders from government, the President made it clear that he does not support calls for a constitutional referendum championed by Odinga.
“I have no time to run around telling people to change the Constitution. It won’t solve the problems we have.” The president stated.
“So, my good friends…the solution is not to say, oh let’s go run around the country… and we engage with what we have. We don’t have time,” He added.