Kenya is not ready for a referendum to change the constitution, Deputy President William Ruto’s allies have said.
The leaders who spoke in Kilifi and Nakuru counties on Friday said that the push for a referendum is not only ill-timed but also ill-advised.
Led by Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, the leaders said that Kenya has more pressing issues that need to be addressed and not a referendum.
They affirmed that the idea of creating more positions in power is selfish and retrogressive at the same time.
“We will not respond to a call for reviving the political fortunes of some leaders,” said Jumwa, as quoted by Daily Nation.
She also said that the Jubilee government should consider putting in place measures to grow different sectors of the economy including health, security, agriculture and education instead of rooting for the creation of more positions to accommodate failures.
Jumwa's remarks were backed by her Lunga Lunga counterpart Khatib Mwashetani and Badi Twalib of Jomvu who said that time has come for better governance and not a referendum.
In Nakuru, allies of the second in command said that the handshake has been unbeneficial to the taxpayers.
Laikipia Woman Representative Catherine Waruguru said that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s handshake with ODM leader Raila Odinga has made it difficult for the Jubilee supporters to meet the President.
On her part, Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika said Uhuru should honour the promise he made to back Ruto for the top seat upon his retirement.