Push for Referendum is Unstoppable, Raila Declares

Push for Referendum is Unstoppable, Raila Declares

Opposition chief Raila Odinga has maintained he will continue with his push for amendments to the Constitution despite resistance from his newfound, ally President Kenyatta.

Speaking during Iftar dinner organized by Governor Hassan Joho in Mombasa, Odinga said the proposed changes into the Constitution will ensure equity and regional balance in the governance of the country.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader has proposed creation of a three-tier system of government, among other changes.

However, President Kenyatta has continued to pour cold water on Odinga's calls for referendum, stating the focus now is on delivering his big four agenda for the country namely; universal healthcare, manufacturing, food security and affordable housing.

Speaking at the function, Odinga said the push for constitutional review is unstoppable, insisting that its aim is to form an all-inclusive Kenya.

“You saw the team was gazetted and has started working. It is the committee which will bring forward recommendations that we will implement. If the team says we need to amend the Constitution, we will do so and no one will stop us,” said Odinga.

“We want to form a nation that will include everyone. A Kenya that will allow anyone to contest for the top seat and be elected. We want a situation where even a person from El Molo can get an equal chance of contesting for the seat and be elected,” he said.

“We will tell Kenyans openly that which we want to put forward for the betterment of this country and that is when we will involve you and help us in ensuring that we take this country where our fathers wanted it to be,” he said.

Comments

Ben (not verified)     Sun, 06/03/2018 @ 11:11am

This old man never learns. Even after so called handshake he is still pushing his own agenda against the wishes of his handshake partner while claiming they are on the same page. Uhuru will soon learn the same lesson, Moi and Kibaki learned - give this guy an inch, he will take a mile because he is always full of himself....

Anonymous UI (not verified)     Sun, 06/03/2018 @ 11:52am

Raila has no respect for the citizenry. Now he thinks he has created a committee (a small group of people) that will dictate to the rest of Kenyans what to do. A small group that can be paid off. Raila, this is new Kenya, new generation of young people that cannot be dictated upon by talks. We need to see actions. We need a track record. Your track record is "Constitution my foot", it is also 1982 coup,failing to accept defeat. How do you plan to change the Constitution that you have no respect for. It is for you to gain power through the back door and it will not happen. Sorry it's too late for you. More than fourty years singing the same song. It's time to change the singer.

Mwororo (not verified)     Sun, 06/03/2018 @ 12:12pm

" if the team says we need to amend the constitution, we will do so and no one will stop us" Raila, the team You're referring to is not democratically elected by the people or constitutionally formed and therefore cannot impulse it's decrees on a free people. Do you realize that You're the cancer that keeps eating up Kenya? 1982, many Kenyans died in your coup attempt. You and RUTO were the evil master-minds behind the 2007/08 PEV. Our people were burnt alive, others brutally murdered and over 600,000 IDPS. In every election innocent people die as you throw tantrums claiming that your victory is stolen. How many more deaths do you want before you can leave wananchi and our country in peace? Does anybody doubt any more that You're the mother of all violence in Kenya? For example, since your so called handshake that you took to Harambee house, there has been no violence, no animosity among different ethnic communities and we've calm across the country. Now you want more campaign to cause further chaos and deaths. Every person that ever tried to work with you for a better Kenya has always ran away from you: Kijana Wamalwa, Balala, William RUTO, Martha Karua, Kalonzo, Weta, Mudavadi, Namuyamba, Moi, Kibaki, Charity Ngilu Miguna Miguna Margaret Wanjiru, Isaac Ruto etc- and you don't think You're the greatest problem in Kenya?

Karing'a (not verified)     Sun, 06/03/2018 @ 01:56pm

I can't speak for anybody but most Kenyans would prefer a referendum to reduce the govt.Kenyans were cheated that their country will be like US if they accepted the the 47 counties run by governors just like US's 50 states/governors.But bongolala Kenyans did not want to hear from the katiba opponents that Kenya was ruled by one governor during the colonial times and the whole country was equal or smaller than California state which is under one governor,two senators and only 54 MPs.The guys who photocopied the US katiba never read it.Or how could they have failed to notice that New York city,led by a mayor has a bigger population than Nairobi,Mombasa,Kisumu,Nakuru,Kiambu counties combined?Muchawi Raila should tell us what happened to OKOA KENYA.

Mugikuyu (not verified)     Sun, 06/03/2018 @ 04:22pm

Raila if you propose a referendum that would reduce the number of MCAs in every county, reduce the number of MPs, cap their salaries and make it hard to give themselves raises and cut the number of governors and the senators in the country you would gain support. Until then, nothing will happen.

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