Are the ongoing calls for a referendum really necessary? The referendum debate has divided the Country with a section of Kenyans for it while the other section is strongly against it.
Leading the Yes Battalion is AU High Envoy for Infrastructure and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga. The No movement is on the other hand being led by his political nemesis William Ruto.
Many have been wondering why Raila is pushing for constitutional changes with a number of Political leaders arguing that he is only after adding more leadership slots with hope that he would secure one come 2022.
Despite all the talking and bashing directed his way, Raila has time and again reiterated the need to amend the Constitution through a referendum.
While noting that there is no perfect constitution anywhere in the world, Raila has said the 2010 law was hurriedly written and promulgated under the pressure resulting from 2007/8 conflict and its now due for amendment.
“We don’t need to copy paste things from other countries, we can do them our way to benefit our people. For example, we need to reduce the counties. This doesn’t mean we are killing them. We are just working on a better way to reduce the tax burden on Kenyans,” he said.
The former PM was also quick to mention that the referendum is not aimed at creating a position for him or President Uhuru in 2022.
He said both Uhuru and himself had made a resolve to not discuss or focus on 2022 politics during their March 9, 2018, handshake.
“Both of us had been sworn in as presidents. We sat down and agreed we cannot have two presidents in one country and I agreed to step aside for Uhuru and focus on uniting the country by working together and not engaging in 2022 politics,” Raila said.
Raila was sworn in as the people’s president after insisting president Uhuru is an illegitimate ruler and that Kenya urgently needs saving.