The proposal to reduce the number of counties has continued to elicit mixed reactions from different factions as the push for referendum gains momentum.
African Union’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development Raila Odinga has now dismissed claims that the push for a referendum is meant to kill counties.
Speaking during an interview on KTN's Point Blank on Wednesday, Raila said that the referendum aims at empowering counties and not finishing them.
The ODM leader noted that most of the county bosses are completing their terms in office and hence they will not wage war against him for championing for a referendum.
He also said that the recent move by some governors including those from Ukambani to create economic blocs for the sake of development shows that the regions are ready to work together.
“First, a number of governors are serving their final terms. Secondly, we are not killing the counties; they will still remain like in Nigeria," he said, as quoted by Standard.
The Luo political kingpin revealed that he had agreed with Uhuru not to talk about succession politics during this time of mending broken fences after he made an about-turn.
Raila, who is considered Deputy President William Ruto’s greatest threat in the race for power, also dismissed the allegation that the Handshake was reached because of 2022 succession. He rubbished claims that the Building Bridges Initiative has a hidden agenda.
The Former Prime Minister noted that he and President Uhuru Kenyatta will continue working together to ensure the taxpayers’ needs are attained.