Uhuru, Raila allies challenge Ruto to lead 'No' campaign

Allies of President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition chief Raila Odinga have dismissed the proposal to hold the referendum alongside the 2022 general election and challenged Deputy President William Ruto to openly lead the No campaign.

They said the new demand is a sign that the DP’s team is not interested in the constitutional reforms under the Building Bridges Initiative.

Instead, the Kieleweke MPs challenged the DP and his allies to openly oppose the referendum if they are dissatisfied with the way his boss has steered the process.

At a much anticipated meeting held on Wednesday, the DP and his allies failed to take a stand on the BBI-propelled Constitution of Kenya (Amendments) Bill, instead insisting on consensus and also resolving to push for a multiple-choice referendum in which Kenyans will be given the opportunity to vote on issues.

ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi warned DP Ruto to stop taking Kenyans in circles.

“The BBI has timelines that should be adhered to for the country to have a say and move on. As a leader, taking Kenyans in circles without a clear position amounts to a failure to provide effective leadership,” said Mr Mudavadi.

Senate Minority Leader James Orengo said the DP’s statement was not made in good faith and that its only purpose is to muddy the waters of a process that is already in motion .

“These are a bunch of obstructionists and cynics who are sceptical about everything. The call for consensus is an afterthought,” Mr Orengo said.

Senate Chief Whip Irungu Kang’ata urged the Tangatanga group to await the outcome of the two referendum Bills pending before the House.

“Let’s wait and see whether whichever Bill is enacted will provide for multiple-choice questions,” said the Murang’a senator.

Unrealistic demands

He warned that delaying the BBI means the revenue sharing formula recently passed by the Senate would be rendered superfluous since it was pegged on increased devolved funds.

Suba South MP John Mbadi said the DP was confusing the country in order to spearhead his own interests, arguing that Tangatanga’s demands were unrealistic.

“You cannot have a referendum with the next general election because we want some of the provisions on the amendment to be implemented in 2022,” Mr Mbadi said.

Lugari MP Ayub Savula challenged the DP to live up to his recent declaration on Twitter to support his boss.

“Time has come for the DP to stop hiding in the many words he has perfected in recent times. Kenyans were waiting for him to declare his stand on BBI, which he has not,” Mr Savula said.

Tiaty MP William Kamket said the Ruto team was not interested in reforms. “Even if you make Mr Ruto the chairman of BBI, the group will get something to grouse about because they are not interested in BBI,” he said.

Narok North MP Moitalel ole Kenta said a multiple-choice referendum would confuse Kenyans. 

Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni, who chairs the Constitution Implementation and Oversight Committee (CIOC) of the National Assembly says that though consensus is the best way forward in life, there comes a time when an opportunity presents for a leader to make a decision.

“We should not remain stagnant in decision making,” Mr Kioni said.

Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu maintained the report will not be amended and challenged Ruto’s allies to lead the No campaign.

Kanu Secretary Nick Salat said issues being raised by the Tangatanga brigade are part of a scheme to delay the referendum for ‘political reasons’.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo maintained that calls for consensus are not genuine, arguing that it is a tactic to delay the BBI process.

Reporting by Ibrahim Oruko, David Mwere and Onyango K’Onyango