Mudavadi rubbishes calls for referendum

Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi has opposed calls for a referendum by a section of opposition leaders saying the move lacks objectivity.

Through his official Twitter handle, Mudavadi said Kenyans don’t need a referendum at this time and leaders should focus on addressing issues ailing the country.

“We cannot subject Kenyans to a referendum when they are at their most vulnerable situation,” he said.

Mudavadi reiterated that leaders calling for a referendum should get their priorities right.

According to him, their energy should be directed to fighting societal ills such as wanton corruption that has cost the country billions of shillings.

He also added that challenges facing the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) should also be resolved first.

“We need to get our priorities right; let us sort out the economy, let us fight corruption, let us sort out the IEBC then we can go into a referendum with more objectivity,” he said.

Mudavadi’s comments comes amidst high political temperatures in the country with most Kenyans questioning the timing of the proposed referendum.

Despite President Uhuru Kenyatta’s stance against the proposal, his newfound ally National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga maintains that the country needs to change the Constitution.

Raila proposes that a three-tier government will solve the problems facing the current devolved system. However, President Kenyatta said:

“I have no time to run around telling people to change the Constitution. It won’t solve the problems we have, but engaging with the private sector on manufacturing like we are doing (I) will.”

He made the comments in May this year while addressing the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) at Statehouse, Nairobi.

Leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto have also rubbished referendum calls.

“As a party, we are focused on fulfilling the pledges we made to Kenyans. That remains our main goal and it will not change any soon,” said Mr Murkomen.

The leaders said the cost implications of such an exercise would be overly unattainable and would only serve to overburden the taxpayer.