The continued calls on referendum has created a rift among politicians, those who back the calls and who doesn’t. This has seen Deputy President William Ruto going around the country opposing the calls. He has accused Raila Odinga of using referendum to create positions for his team in the government, has he? Well, A section of MPs from Western have lashed out at the DP over his stand on the proposed referendum.
They are Senator Cleophas Malala, Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi, and Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua.
Speaking to the press in Kakamega town, the lot asked the deputy president to name the people seeking to create positions through the proposed referendum.
“Why is the DP insisting Kenyans do not want a referendum yet there is even no question to debate?” Florence Mutua asked.
“Let them not tell us about faceless people. Be man enough to mention names of those seeking new positions,” she added.
“Give the Building Bridges team time to make its recommendations. If they recommend a referendum we will be a strong “yes” team,” she said.
Ruto was quoted at the weekend as having dismissed the call for the plebiscite as a drive to “create positions for a few people in Nairobi.”
Speaking at the home coming ceremony of Sirisia MP John Welukhe, the deputy President dismissed the call as aimed at undermining the local leadership by merging the counties and county assembly wards.
He also led MPs and other leaders allied to him in characterising the referendum push as a drive to create positions “for a person who should be proceeding to retirement in peace.”
The DP had earlier in the year voiced his support for the referendum proposal only if it “would be seeking to improve the lives of Kenyans.”
Malala claimed the DP and his team are only obsessed with “his 2022 presidential run,” asking them to do a different brand of politics.
“He must make his mind whether to support or oppose the referendum. He can’t continue changing his tune depending on where he visits,” Malala added.