National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale has rubbished any possibilities of the nation holding the much-hyped constitutional amendments his year.

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This comes amid a heating campaign in the opposition block to have the referendum the soonest possible, a bid also enjoying the backing of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

But Duale has warned that the changes should not be expected any soon as the nation has a lot in her hands with regards to the same.

He added that the long procedures of signature collection, presentation of the same to the poll body and its consideration in the national and county assemblies will take a long time.

"Referendum is a process, given all the steps required for the Constitution to be changed, there are clear timelines and from where I sit, I do not see this thing practical,” he told the Standard.

This also comes at a time when the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) which is expected to conduct the referendum is limping.

The Chairman Wafula Chebukati-led side is currently operating on only half its required commissioners which according to Duale, needs to be corrected too.

"Add to the fact that the need to first have Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) stand on its feet, it will be a long shot this year,” he added.

At the heart of the referendum question is the expansion of the executive and introduction of the Premier and two deputies slot and the reintroduction of the parliamentary system.

But these changes are facing opposition from Deputy President William Ruto who is arguing that the nation has a lot to handle in its hands in the next three years.

Addressing the congregation at the Chatham House in London last week, he noted that the forthcoming census and 2022 general elections will make it very hard to realize the referendum.

In case it comes, he added, the nation should only concentrate on the introduction of the official opposition leader, arguing that the premier seat will still go to the winning party.

This way, he added, the inclusivity pursuit might not be achieved.