Deputy President William Ruto Changes Mind, Endorses Calls for Referendum

Deputy President William Ruto has now joined calls for referendum to introduce changes to the 2010 Constitution.

In a seemingly sudden change of mind, the Deputy President said those who think he fears the proposal are mistaken.

Ruto, who spoke in Tharaka Nithi on Saturday, said he is ready for a referendum, adding that those who lose this time round should concede defeat.

“…We are ready for referendum. Wale wa kupunguza mzigo na wale wa kuongeza wakubaliane ni nini wanataka…waseme tarehe, wasema watukubali matokeo… sisi tuko na kura,” he said on Saturday.

Ruto had earlier dismissed calls for referendum to create a new governance system, terming it “a bogeyman affair.”

"Iwant to ask all leaders in Kenya to stop disturbing Kenyans on unnecessary referendum debates and instead they should focus on development," said Ruto.

“ Let me say this, lazy people who cannot do things, those who lose elections will always want to use the Constitution as a bogeyman,” Ruto said at a past event.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has maintained that a referendum is inevitable, saying that it will be held next year after the Building Bridges taskforce finishes collecting Kenyans' views.

“The referendum will be the best thing for Kenyans as they will have the opportunity to address some of the long running problems that have been facing them,” Odinga said.

“We agreed with the President that as soon as the task force finishes collecting views across the country, the buck will stop with the people through another vote,” added Raila.

Odinga proposed the introduction of a three-tier governance structure consisting of the National Government, 14 regional blocks and the 47 counties.