Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung'wa now says the country is not ready for a referendum.
The MP said the current debate on constitutional changes should be shelved so the nation can rejuvenate from the strains of last year's polls.
Ichung'wa, the National Assembly Chairman of the Budget Committee, observed that Kenya needs 5 to 7 years to recover the loss it suffered due to long electioneering period in 2017.
"When we come to the question of referendum, we would be sinking this country in a deep hole economically by having another politicking period," he said, speaking to Citizen TV on Sunday night.
"Constitution change requires politicking and having a referendum now will divide us rather than unite us."
The second-time MP said although there are some clauses in the constitution which needed to be looked into, leaders should explore other ways to address them.
"Personally, I also have issues with the constitution, but this is the wrong time to have a referendum. Governance issues, are issues that we can deal with as Parliament," Ichung'wa noted.
There is a heated debate on whether to review the structure of devolution, with opposition leader Raila Odinga advocating for a three-tier government, a proposal Deputy President has rejected.