DP Ruto has come under heavy scrutiny from a section of Nasa legislators over his ‘anti-referendum’ talk at Chatham House in the United Kingdom.
While Ruto sentiments are something to give a thought to , Nasa Mps have accused Dr Ruto of “insincerity” after he raised reservations about the referendum push.
DP Ruto while addressing the Chatham House meeting asked:
“Do we have the resources to do the census this year, a boundary review next year, an election in 2022 and a referendum in between? Is it reasonable? Let us put these questions into context,” Dr Ruto posed during his address in London.
The electoral agency has said it is ready to conduct a third referendum should it be required to do so but Wanjiku will be expected to cough about Sh12 billion.
We all agree that there are issues with the constitution. Have we reached the threshold to go to a referendum? That is a question for Kenyans to answer. #CHAfrica pic.twitter.com/qkLZ2b0rwA
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) February 8, 2019
The electoral commission has also told the parliamentary committee that the review of constituency boundaries is expected to cost Sh8 billion.
As for the August 8 General Election ,Sh15.8 billion was what it cost an estimate that could sky rocket in 2022 and considering an extra 10 Billion was used for the repeat presidential election.
However, Ruto’s sentiments have not gone well with Opposition leaders who have branded him an “enemy of inclusivity”.
But the DP, through his press secretary David Mugonyi, said the leaders are free to say whatever they wanted. “We are in a free country,” Mr Mugonyi told the Nation.
ODM national chairman John Mbadi, secretary-general Edwin Sifuna, his Ford Kenya counterpart Eseli Simiyu, MPs Otiende Amollo (ODM, Rarieda) and Godfrey Osotsi (ANC, nominated) launched the onslaught against Dr Ruto.
“I don’t think the question of a referendum is a matter of debate now. Whoever is still raising issues on whether we should have a referendum is living in his own world. The DP is completely out of touch with reality in the country,” Mr Mbadi said.
The cost of a referendum, he said, will not derail efforts to unite the country.
“Matters of inclusivity are more important than the cost of a referendum. What the DP needs to do is join other Kenyans in fighting graft so that we have enough money for a referendum. We will have enough money by reducing wastage and pilferage of public funds,” the Suba South MP said.