Amollo, Mbadi answer Ruto in referendum politics

Opposition legislators on Sunday criticised Deputy President William Ruto over his ‘anti-referendum’ remarks at Chatham House in the United Kingdom branding him an “enemy of inclusivity”.

The NASA legislators led by ODM national chairman John Mbadi, secretary-general Edwin Sifuna, his Ford Kenya counterpart Eseli Simiyu, MPs Otiende Amollo (ODM, Rarieda) and Godfrey Osotsi (ANC, nominated) launched the onslaught against Dr Ruto.

They argued Dr Ruto was “insincere” after he raised reservations about the referendum push.

During his address in London, the DP said, “do we have the resources to do the census this year, a boundary review next year, an election in 2022 and a referendum in between? Is it reasonable? Let us put these questions into context.”

But Ruto, in a rejoinder, through his press secretary David Mugonyi, said the leaders are free to say whatever they wanted. “We are in a free country,” Mr Mugonyi said.

On his part, Mbadi argued, “I don’t think the question of a referendum is a matter of debate now. Whoever is still raising issues on whether we should have a referendum is living in his own world. The DP is completely out of touch with reality in the country,”.

The cost of a referendum, he said, will not derail efforts to unite the country.

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“Matters of inclusivity are more important than the cost of a referendum. What the DP needs to do is join other Kenyans in fighting graft so that we have enough money for a referendum. We will have enough money by reducing wastage and pilferage of public funds,” the Suba South MP said.

Mr Sifuna accused Dr Ruto of thriving on politics of division and siege mentality.

“A united country does not quite work with his script because he exploits perceived tribal differences to fuel his campaigns. So, of course he remains at variance with the desires of the President for a united country.”

His Ford Kenya counterpart Eseli Simiyu said the DP was living in his own world.

“For him, the more divided Kenyans are, the better for him. Because the country is divided, he gets away with activities that would otherwise be questioned. A divided country makes it easier for him to become President,” Dr Simiyu said.

Dr Amollo said Dr Ruto was simply expressing his opposition to a referendum. “He is opposed to referendum, and not for cost issues,” he said.

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