Uhuru Reveals Plans for Constitutional Referendum

President Kenyatta has given all indications that the country could soon be headed for a referendum to introduce changes to the 2010 constitution.

In his speech during the 57th Madaraka Day celebrations at State House on Monday, Kenyatta said there is a need to improve the constitution if the country is to get rid of divisive elections every five years.

"...It is not a moment to replace it but to improve it. A moment that will correct what we did not get right in 2010," Uhuru quipped.
 
He added: "We need one that will bring an end to cycles of violence that we have witnessed since 1992. One that will deepen our democratic credentials and lead to an inclusive society." 

The late Kenyan politician Tom Mboya, according to Uhuru, warned the nation against Constitutional rigidity. "If we have done great things. We must not be afraid to change the system if it does not help us do this," he said. "He [Tom Mboya] argued that a Constitution cannot be useful to a country if it is an end to itself. A good Constitution must be responsive to the aspirations of a nation and be a means to a greater end." 

In an interview last week, ODM leader Raila Odinga said the quest for a referendum through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) was still on, adding that the vote could be held before the end of this year.

On his part, Deputy President William Ruto assured Kenyatta of his support in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

“With your intervention as you mobilize govt to provide guidelines, every Kenyan across of this nation is now part of the big army in trying to deal with COVID-19 pandemic. We are confident, the Kenyan government will take necessary decisions,” said Ruto.

This was Ruto’s first appearance this year at a State function held by Uhuru.