MP Onyonka puts Uhuru on the spot over referendum debate

President Uhuru Kenyatta. [Photo, Standard]

Declare your stand on the referendum debate, Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka told President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday.

Uhuru joined Kisii pupils in performing a rap song in his tour of the area.

He was with Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto when they visited the county to launch health projects.

During the trip, Uhuru was put to task on his stand on the referendum debate.

Onyonka said, "Your Excellency I am the chairman of the Tanga Tanga movement here in Kisii. Today I want you to tell us what you want. Do you want a referendum or not? We don't want this confusion where the DP is saying this and you saying that. Tell us."

A major political clash is looming over the timing of the proposed referendum to change the Constitution as some proponents want it held in December.

The debate on whether to hold it by December is likely to be a hot potato in coming days and might put President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga in one camp against Deputy President William Ruto who wants the referendum question as the seventh ballot in the 2022 General Election.

Deputy President William Ruto has reiterated his opposition to constitutional amendment to create positions in Government for individuals.

The DP said politicking ended in 2017 after the elections and all energy should now be directed towards creating jobs for the youth and implementing the Big Four Agenda and not how to create slots to accommodate people.

Earlier, Governor James Ongwae said, "We are very pleased to host the President, Raila Odinga and Deputy President as they tour Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital which has undergone tremendous transformation in the last few years," said Ongwae.

The governor said during the tour, the President will also preside over the ground-breaking ceremony of the Sh2.25 billion Cancer Diagnostic and Treatment Centre which will be funded by Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa and the Saudi Fund for Development.

“Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital has a big catchment spanning five counties in the region with over 2,500 daily outpatient cases. The current bed capacity stands at 450. We have built a new 250-bed male ward which is going to be officially launched by the President today,” said Ongwae.

The governor said the President will also launch a medical school at the county hospital which will be operated by Kisii University.

Medical courses

“The curriculum for medical courses has been approved by the University’s Senate and the school is now ready for admission of the first batch of students. This was the reason for construction of the histology and anatomy laboratories for use by medical students during their practicals,” said Ongwae.

He said the President will also open a 100-body capacity mortuary with state-of-the-art cooling facility and a separate funeral parlour and parking for 100 vehicles. The hospital, which opened doors 90 years ago, has hitherto had a 24-body capacity mortuary.

Ongwae said the President will also lay the foundation stone for a new mother and child facility which will be constructed at a cost of Sh150 million.

The governor said they have also advertised for the building of a doctor's plaza so that specialist doctors can attend to patients within the hospital.