President Uhuru Kenyatta faults push for vote as Raila Odinga, Moses Wetang’ula dig in

President Uhuru Kenyatta says the referendum debate has exposed those with the habit of engaging in endless politicking.

Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta has told Coast residents that the referendum debate provides an opportunity for Kenyans to distinguish between honest leaders and those seeking political glory for selfish ends.

He said the debate has exposed those with the habit of engaging in endless politicking.

“We will know those who work and those who talk,” Uhuru said when he addressed residents of Changamwe, Mombasa.

But his statement drew a swift rejoinder from leaders of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) who him of being out of touch with what Kenyans want.

CORD co-principal Moses Wetang’ula said some of the problems Kenyans want addressed include bad governance, tribalism, corruption, insecurity, land grabbing, threats to devolution and electoral reforms.

“The country cannot depend on the whims of an individual because 50 years have taught us enough. The President should not engage in scare-mongering. The writing is on the wall,” said Wetang’ula from Funyula.

Speaking separately in Bondo, CORD co-principal Raila Odinga said the referendum would seek answers to social and economic inequities.

The former premier accused the Jubilee government of plotting to retain funds at the National Government while granting counties insufficient money for development projects.

Raila told the public in Bondo that the Government was trying to intimidate governors by withdrawing flags from their cars and cancelling land title deeds.

“The withdrawal of flags and titles is a way of intimidating governors to back off from fighting for the people,” said Raila.

His brother and Nominated MP Oburu Oginga said the referendum was unstoppable and asked that funds be released for the process to begin.

But in Mombasa, the President reiterated his position that Kenyans would gain nothing from a referendum at this point.

He, however, pointed out that it was their democratic right to call for a referendum: “I do not want a referendum myself but the Constitution gives Kenyans the right to ask for it.”

“Work for the people instead of throwing words at each other every day,” he said, asking the Opposition to save their energy for 2017 when the next elections will be held. In Nairobi, CORD’s preparations for the proposed referendum continued in earnest as the coalition’s technical committee chaired by lawyer Paul Mwangi embarked on rolling out signature books to be sent to the counties.

The committee, which has been finalising the Referendum Bill, said assigning of tasks to the counties may go on until next week.

“Even as we roll out to the counties, my team is also receiving and discussing views as we work on the Referendum Bill. The question we will put to the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) will be a “Yes” or “No” on whether the public supports what is in the Bill,” Mwangi told The Standard on Sunday.

Technical team

Other members of the committee include former PS Beatrice Kituyi, Khleaf Khalif and lawyers Mary Kakuvi Mutuku and Anthony Oluoch who has replaced Kethi Kilonzo. Kethi, who was in the original committee, opted out due to work-related pressure.

CORD’s point man in the North-Rift region Kipkorir arap Menjo said they were ready to launch signature collections in his region.

Away from the referendum debate, the President said the government’s priority was to provide services to Kenyans. He told residents that upgrading of the Changamwe Airport Road would be commissioned this year.

Uhuru called on Kenyans to be vigilant against terrorists hiding behind Islam. He said Islam, like other religions, does not preach violence and terrorism.

“Islam is not terrorism. These are lies. There is no religion that preaches killing of people. All religions want peace,” he said. He went on: “Let us look for the criminals irrespective of their religion and tribe”.

And speaking separately in the Coast region, Deputy President William Ruto said the Government would not be distracted from its development programmes.

Ruto said the Jubilee administration’s area of focus would be land reforms, devolution, infrastructure and security.

“We pledged to improve the lives of Kenyans and will ensure that goal is achieved. We will not have time for politics,” said Ruto.

Speaking after commissioning the Kadzandani water project in Magarini constituency, Ruto urged leaders to desist from dividing Kenyans along political and ethnic lines.

“This is time for leaders to deliver and not to engage in political contests,” said Ruto.

—Stories by Bernard Sanga, Grace Wekesa, Rushdie Oudia and Stephen Makabila.