DP William Ruto’s take on the proposed Referendum has caused political confusion in the political circles. During a rally in Sirisia yesterday, Ruto said that he will not support a referendum that is aimed at allocating seats to individuals who should retire honorably.
The comments saw Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula, Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli and MPs tell off Ruto.
Senator Cleophas Malala, Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi, and Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua held the first presser on the matter.
Shortly after them, Atwoli came out saying Ruto should “contemplate resigning if he is against the proposed referendum.”
In his statement, the Cotu boss was categorical that a review of the 2010 Constitution is a must.
“We must do it to address the winner-takes-it -all governance arrangement in the country,” the unionist said.
He asked Ruto to borrow a leaf from the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga who resigned from government in principle after disagreeing with President Jomo Kenyatta.
“We must have a relook at our laws on power structure to help contain the various ethnic interests in the country,” Atwoli said.
“It is no longer tenable to have violence and chaos after every election. We must see how to accommodate every shade of interests in our country.”
“Whatever I have proposed comes to pass. We will go next elections in 2022 under a new supreme law of the land,” he added.
Atwoli faulted the DP on his choice of words at the weekend during a campaign stop in Western Kenya.
The DP was quoted as dismissing the referendum call as being pushed by “foolish idlers who ought to retire.”
“He cannot claim that those supporting the call to review the constitution including the President are foolish,” Atwoli told the deputy president.
The COTU boss also dismissed the DP’s “numerous trips” saying they won’t yield him much support.
“The numerous trips he makes across the country, especially in Western will not help him. There are no votes in the markets in western that he frequents,” Atwoli said.