We don’t need to amend law: Uhuru

President Uhuru Kenyatta has yet again criticised the raging referendum calls and urged proponents to first allow full implementation of the constitution.

The Head of State, terming the constitution one of the most progressive in the world, urged those calling for a review of the document to spare Kenyans the unnecessary costs and disruption of development.

“Leave our constitution alone because it is the most progressive and let us implement it to benefit Kenyans,” he said.

The Cord coalition, led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has been at the centre of the referendum push under the campaign slogan Okoa Kenya.
Cord wants county allocations increased, constitutional commissions reviewed and the electoral system reformed.

The Council of Governors has also launched its referendum push under the Pesa Mashinani initiative, which seeks to increase the minimum county allocation.

The President spoke when he met Kenyans living in Lowell, near Boston town on Friday night, who invited him and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta to a reception at the Lowell Memorial Hall.

He said the public should ask those asking for a referendum why they want to change a constitution which is better in comparison to those of the strongest nations in the world and whose implementation started less than two years ago.

“You don’t change what has not been implemented just the same way you don’t start building a good house and destroy it when it is midway to build a new one,” he said.

The President said Kenyans struggled for a new constitution since 1992 and want to see it implemented fully.

“We will overcome any challenges in the constitution as we continue its implementation and strengthen our institutions,” said the President.

President Kenyatta also took a swipe at governors who want county allocations increased from 15 to 45 per cent.

But Mr Kenyatta said the governors were wasting time and resources agitating for more money when they have not even put in place the necessary structures in counties for which they have been funded. 

“First put the right structures in place, help to build the economy and provide Kenyans the services you are required to,” said President Kenyatta.

“Do you want more money so that you distribute it to your friends and cronies instead of building the right institutions and honestly serving the public? Let us be serious,” he said.

He said Kenya has the potential to be a bigger economy but was being held back by negative attitudes and selfish priorities of its political class.
“The political class owes Kenyans an apology because it has not done what it is supposed to do,” he said.

He said that instead of waiting for economic salvation through recently discovered petroleum resources, Kenya will continue harnessing its human resource capital, which has seen it compete effectively with other nations.

The Mayor of Lowell Rodney Elliot presented a symbolic key to the city to President Kenyatta.

“We have many Kenyans who have made Lowell their home. We welcome you, we cherish you and are happy to have you as part of the community here,” he said.