Brace for referendum, Tuju tells BBI critics

Jubilee Party Secretary-General

Raphael Tuju has told those opposed to law reforms to brace for a referendum.

“We want to promote inclusivity in national leadership and address the issue of winner takes it all once and for all. The Constitution is not cast in stone,” said Tuju.

ODM has already proposed a parliamentary system of government and wants a referendum held for Kenyans to either ratify or reject the proposal. Tuju backed the call.

Yesterday, Tuju said this is one of the reasons that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) was born out of the March 9th handshake.

“It’s just a matter of time before the BBI report is out in October this year to signal which way forward for Kenyans but there are high indications pointing to a referendum,” he said.

But Tuju asked MPs allied to ODM leader Raila Odinga and those supporting Deputy President William Ruto to stop scolding one another for political expediency.

“Why do you have to treat Kenyans each day to emotional tantrums on the television, social media and public rallies? It doesn’t pay off ultimately,” he said.

He told Senate Minority Leader James Orengo and ODM MPs Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), and Samwel Atandi (Alego Usonga) and others to guard their lips.

“We don't have to revile in return when reviled in politics. Who knows what could happen next or tomorrow? Perhaps Raila or Ruto could also shake hands,” said the Cabinet Secretary without portfolio.

“If it happened between the President and Raila, and now between me and Dr Otiende and opposition MPs who never used to share a platform with me, it can happen to anyone.”

Tuju spoke in Rarieda where he represented the President in launching a number of state-funded projects worth over Sh200 million.

ODM legislators at the event accused Ruto of engaging in early 2022 campaigns, and asked him to resign from the government.

“It is clear from his series of countrywide tours that he is camouflaging under state funded projects to engage in premature campaigns ahead of 2022,” said Kajwang.

Orengo and Amollo said the referendum was inevitable.

Elsewhere in Kasipul Constituency, Homa Bay County, ODM MPs said branding Raila a “lord of poverty” will not reduce his fast growing popularity.