Deputy President William Ruto has hinted at impending political battle with President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga over proposed referendum.
Both Uhuru and Raila have hinted at supporting changes to the constitution, which would see the executive expanded substantially to accommodate more communities.
President Uhuru Kenyatta recently said the push would enable Kenyans to review laws for better governance in future, adding that referendum is inevitable.
But at Subukia on Saturday, Dr Ruto shrugged off urge to change the constitution, arguing that the competition in 2022 should not be about power.
“Even if they shout at the top of their voice we shall not get off our truck. Our competition shall be based on development and not power. We shall not allow them to move us back to politics of hatred and ethnicity,” Ruto said.
The DP is at a limbo over President Uhuru Kenyatta's stand and is yet to give his exact position on the looming changes in the country which both Raila and Uhuru have endorsed.
At the event, Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika was even clear, insisting that the Tanga Tanga brigade will reject the referendum, adding that many Kenyans were not consulted.
"The extent to which the BBI collected views does not warrant to claim the findings represent views of the country’s general public. They only held meetings in urban areas and with a predefined audience that favours its proponents," Kihika said.
Should Ruto oppose the changes, he will be for the first time be at loggerheads with President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is keen to have the changes.