The ongoing push for a referendum before the 2022 polls appears like a pipe dream, judging by the current state of things in the nation.
The changes are being pushed from two sections, one from the opposition which wants an expanded government and the Third Way Alliance which wants a reduction of elective seats.
The first factor likely to hinder the push is the lack of funds, considering that no amounts were allocated for the process that can take up to Sh15 billion in the 2019/2020 budget.
Kieni MP Kanini Kega who leads the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC), says that lack of time and hiccups at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) are the other hindrance.
He says that his committee is pushing for the referendum to be held as the extra question in the 2022 general elections after finding it unrealistic to hold two polls within three years.
“Time is not on our side and much needs to be put in place when Parliament is focused to debate and agree, undistracted by electioneering campaigns. For among amendments CIOC is proposing is to conduct a referendum together with the next general election in 2022."
"The rationale for this includes reduction of costs and to avoid having two heavy political undertakings in the space of three years that could overwhelm the electorate,” he said in an interview with a local daily on Friday.
This also comes amid CIOC's push to reduce the commission members, with IEBC also expected to conduct a boundary revise this very same year.
At the same time, the commission is currently operating with only three commissioners, after the rest resigned, making it unfit to conduct any polls in its current state.