A Kericho-based lobby group has condemned Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua for banning the ongoing exercise of collecting signatures for the referendum.
Addressing reporters in Nakuru town, Kericho Centre for Human Rights and Reconciliation executive officer Robert Ngeno said the governor had no constitutional powers to ban the pro-referendum campaigns.
“We are concerned about the sentiments expressed by (the) Nakuru County governor and his deputy that appeared in a section of the media,” Ngeno said in a statement.
“He does not have the authority to stop groups supporting the plescibite from holding rallies,” said Ngeno, adding that it was an outright infringement of freedoms and civil liberties of residents of the region.
He said the move was retrogressive and aimed at subduing the calls for a referendum to make crucial changes in the constitution.
Mr Ngeno urged the governor to avoid intimidating supporters of the proposed Pesa Mashinani referendum campaigns, saying every Kenyan has the freedom of expression which ought to be respected.
The governor last week vowed to return to Orange House signature collection booklets which were allegedly transported to Nakuru from Kericho County.
The governor has banned collection of signatures in the region, arguing that referendum calls were aimed at causing divisions among Kenyans.