A section of Muslim leaders from the North Rift region has joined the debate on the referendum with some saying it will be an additional burden to taxpayers if its purpose will be to create more structures of governance.
According to the North Rift Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) chairman Sheikh Abubakar Bini, they will only support the referendum if it helps address the challenges facing ordinary Kenyans.
On his part, the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) Uasin Gishu secretary general Mohammed Ali said the cost of living was high hence need to consider the plight of Kenyans.
The Muslim leaders who were speaking at Huda school in Eldoret town further dismissed a suggestion by the opposition leader to introduce a three-tier government.
“The cost of financing the current devolved unit is very high and if we introduce another layer of governance it will be adding another burden to mwananchi,” said Sheikh Bini.
“If we must amend the constitution, then those involved must look at ways to reduce the cost for Wanjiku, Amina, and Chebet and see how they will benefit, even if possible cut down on the existing number of leaders by scrapping some of those elective positions,” he added.
Speaking during this year’s devolution conference in Kakamega, opposition chief Raila Odinga proposed that the country adopts a three-tier government that would see the third layer of 14 regional governments introduced on top of the existing 47 county governments.