Leaders split on call for referendum
What you need to know:
- Mr Linturi said Cord principal Raila Odinga supported the new Constitution in the 2010 referendum and wondered what had gone wrong with it.
- But Cord co-principal and Wiper Pary leader Kalonzo Musyoka said the coalition would step up calls for a referendum.
Four MPs have opposed calls for a referendum, even as Cord said it would not tone down its campaigns.
The referendum debate dominated fundraising meetings held in Igembe South constituency.
MPs Muthomi Njuki (Chukaigambangombe), Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu), Florence Kajuju (Meru County) and their host, Mr Mithika Linturi (Igembe) said the call for a referendum was ill-advised.
Mr Linturi said Cord principal Raila Odinga supported the new Constitution in the 2010 referendum and wondered what had gone wrong with it.
He said that during the 2010 referendum, he joined current Deputy President William Ruto in opposing the new law, but accepted the verdict when it was passed.
And Mr Ichungwa said that this was not the right time to told a referendum, adding that the Opposition should “give the government ample time to serve Kenyans” and wait for 2017 General Election.
He, however, said that if the referendum was to be held, then there should be a question asking whether Kenyans want mere rhetoric or development.
STEP UP CALLS
But Cord co-principal and Wiper Pary leader Kalonzo Musyoka said the coalition would step up calls for a referendum.
Mr Musyoka said Cord would not relent in its demands for the referendum until the government agrees to address the “pertinent issues” adversely affecting Kenyans. (READ: Raila calls meeting amid split in Wiper)
“We can’t allow the government to take us back to the dark old days. As the Opposition, we want the best for Kenyans,” said Mr Musyoka.
He was speaking at Kariene Catholic Church in Central Imenti, Meru County, where he attended Sunday Mass and joined worshippers for a funds drive to erect a perimeter fence.
Mr Musyoka said Cord had responsible leaders “who know what they are doing”, but criticised the Jubilee leadership for thinking they would storm State House on Saba Saba Day.
He also called on Kenyans to shun negative ethnicity, saying it was a threat to national unity. The Jubilee administration, he added, must address the high cost of living, insecurity and other problems facing Kenyans.
