Martha Karua Dismisses Uhuru’s Push for Referendum

Narc-Kenya party leader Martha Karua has dismissed President Kenyatta’s bid to amend the 2010 constitution.

Karua raised questions over the hurry to introduce new changes to the current constitution given that it has not been fully and properly implemented.

"I am yet to be convinced that the constitution of Kenya 2010 needs any rectification,” Karua told Citizen TV in an interview.

She added: “Our feeling is, the current constitution has not been properly implemented and there has been a reluctance to implement it, what is the need therefore of making constitutional changes and continuing to disobey the law." 

She further noted that the proponents of the constitutional changes must convince Kenyans that there is a need to amend the law, adding that the timing is wrong.

"When the BBI [Building Bridges Initiative] was on, I did not get any convincing reason, and the discussion that went on at the BBI was mainly a conversation by supporters of the president and of the honorable Prime Minister [Raila Odinga].”

"Contrary views were clearly not welcome so, if now the BBI team proposes constitutional changes, which I do not think are merited, the onus is on them to convince Kenyans why we should consider the changes," Karua stated.

She spoke hours after President Kenyatta in his Madaraka Day celebrations speech gave indications that the country could soon be headed for a referendum.

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." 

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.