National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi has laughed at Third Way Alliance Party Leader Punguza Mizigo referendum push, predicting doom for it.
Aukot's bill seeks to reduce the number of elective seats and enhance gender equality in parliament, in want he says will reduce the wage bill and save Kenyans from the tax burden.
But Mbadi on Sunday noted that the bill will not make any further progress, telling members of the county assemblies to shun it and wait for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) taskforce's report.
The taskforce, which was compiled by President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Premier Raila Odinga has been crisscrossing the nation picking Kenyans'views, in what Raila has repeatedly said will culminate in a referendum proposal.
Mbadi echoed the same, noting that the nation cannot have two constitutional amendments at the same time, and observing that the one thst will have to be discarded is Aukot's.
“I do not see the Bill going anywhere. I don’t think our MCAs will support it. Our MCAs should wait for BBI because we can’t have two constitutional amendments at the same time.
He should take the Bill to the BBI so that they are consolidated. I want to tell our MCAs not to give the Bill any serious thoughts but remain focused on the proposals to be made by the BBI,” Mbadi told the Standard.
Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju said that the party is yet to come up with an official approach to the same.
“We don’t have an official position but once we take a position as a party we will communicate to our MCAs,” he is quoted.
But his remarks come at a time when the party seems divided on the issue, considering that National Assembly boss Aden Duale has since rejected it.
On the other hand, it has been warmly received by Kipchumba Murkomen, the Senate Majority Leader.