Uhuru referendum stance a big relief to DP Ruto allies
Majority leaders in Senate Kipchumba Murkomen (left) and his National Assembly counterpart Aden Duale. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The Nation has however learnt that the President is not totally opposed to a referendum but is not comfortable with the timing.
Coming just within his first year of the second and final term in office, Mr Kenyatta is also reported to be keen not to create unnecessary political acrimony with his deputy.
The call for constitutional amendment has sharply divided top political leaders in the country with Mr Ruto opposing the move saying it is only meant to create positions for few individuals.
Mr Odinga, last month called for a referendum for the introduction of a three-tier government.
Remarks by President Uhuru Kenyatta that he does not support referendum at the moment came as a big relief to the camp of the Deputy President (DP) William Ruto who had appeared isolated on calls for constitutional change.
The excitement with which politicians and handlers of the DP received the news told it all.
It was a comment they had eagerly been waiting for. Yet for the supporters and allies of the Opposition leader Raila Odinga, this came as a surprise. They are now fearing that the comments may jeopardise the famous handshake between the two leaders.
The Nation has however learnt that the President is not totally opposed to a referendum but is not comfortable with the timing. A source from the presidency said that Mr Kenyatta is out to avoid any engagements that may overshadow his Big Four agenda of manufacturing, universal healthcare, Housing and expand food production for now.
POLITICAL ACRIMONY
Coming just within his first year of the second and final term in office, Mr Kenyatta is also reported to be keen not to create unnecessary political acrimony with his deputy by supporting the referendum quest being championed by Mr Odinga.
The call for constitutional amendment has sharply divided top political leaders in the country with Mr Ruto opposing the move saying it is only meant to create positions for few individuals.
Other Jubilee MPs allied to Mr Ruto have also opposed calls for constitutional amendments, claiming it will polarise the country.
A section of leaders allied to the Deputy President led by Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen had last week called on President Kenyatta to come clean and assure them that he still supports Mr Ruto’s bid for the presidency in 2022.
Majority of them have expressed fear that the unity pact could jolt Jubilee’s smooth power transition plan.
SUSPICION
Since Uhuru and Mr Odinga struck a deal on March 9 to work together, suspicion has been rising in Ruto’s camp over his fate as far as 2022 elections is concerned.
But yesterday Mr Murkomen said: “The position indicated by the President is our party position and we have every reason to support it. Our focus now is to deliver as per our campaign manifesto and concentrate on delivering the Big Four.”
Speaking for the first time on the raging debate on constitutional change, President Kenyatta said his interest was in the implementation of the Big Four agenda to improve the lives of Kenyans.
“I want to deliver on the promises I made to Kenyans. Changing the Constitution will not solve the problems we have,” he said.
President Kenyatta made the remarks on Friday at State House, Nairobi, during a follow-up meeting to last week’s 8th Presidential Round Table Forum.
Mr Odinga, last month called for a referendum for the introduction of a three-tier government. According to Mr Odinga, the presidential executive system has been the cause of many problems bedevilling the country.
REVERSE GAINS
Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi warned that the remarks by President is likely to reverse the gains made so far through the handshake.
“The remarks by the President is only furthering the political ambitions of certain individuals who have expressed interest to vie in 2022 but have no capacity to unite the people of Kenya,” Mr Atandi said.
Majority leader in the National Assembly Aden Duale supported President Kenyatta in dismissing the call for a referendum saying it is not a priority for the Jubilee administration.
“The remarks by the President makes sense because referendum will not add any value to the lives of the people of Kenya. He is focused on things that will transform the country like provision of universal healthcare,” Mr Duale told the Nation.
Jubilee Deputy Chief Whip in the Senate Irungu Kang’ata said the remarks by the President shows that he is in one accord with his deputy who has opposed the push for a referendum.
Igembe North MP Maoka Maore said the remarks makes sense: “In your final term, you don’t mix your agenda with any other thing,” Mr Maore said.
