Kalonzo’s ally weighs in on Raila’s push for referendum

[Featured Image-Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and other members address the media after meeting with Makueni leaders in Nairobi/Photo Courtesy]

Wiper party,led by Makueni Member of Parliament Dan Maanzo and Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior have finally joined the ongoing constitutional amendment debate.

Speaking on Radio Citizen’s Debe La Citizen show on Sunday, the lawmaker endorsed the proposed amendment that seeks to extend the executive, noting that the changes are inevitable.

He called upon the remaining section of Kenyans and political leaders opposed to the bid to make a U-turn and support it.

He, however, noted that the body tasked with the job of organizing the referendum, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is overworked at the moment.

He called for a different approach in handling the issue, noting that the nation is also likely to have a hard time funding the popular vote.

”The nation is yearning for the changes making the referendum inevitable. However, the IEBC is too busy at the moment with the pending boundaries review and the nation is also set for a census next year making it a challenging task both financially and with regards to the time shortage,” he said.

As a result, he proposed that the referendum is included in the approaching 2022 general election as the seventh ballot.

”The best way would be to incorporate it in the coming general elections to ensure that it does not affect the national undertakings set for between now and 2022,” added Maanzo, who is the Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s ally.

In a tweet,Mutula Kilonzo Junior had similar opinion,cautioning that a referendum cannot happen without restructuring the current elections board;

The push which is being spearheaded by opposition leaders is likely to be further strengthened by opposition chief Raila Odinga who is calling for the introduction of a three-tier government.