By Osoo Yulemsoo
When we told them that a referendum by popular initiative is unstoppable they shouted ‘we have tyranny of numbers’. Now it has dawned to the Duales of this nation that indeed referendum biro.
For starters , the constitution stipulates that if parliament rejects calls for a referendum by popular initiative then after 90 days it is taken back to the people through a referendum. Let the people decide.
Now a panicking jubilee government threatens to take over referendum issue from Cord. It defeats logic the highest level of hypocrisy and inconsistencies practiced by Jubilee govt.
They said Kenyans were not ready for a referendum. Ruto warned opposition not to continue with their push and politicking since such a move would divide the country. Murkomen and Kindiki said that it was too early to amend the 2010 draft constitution that was passed into law. So the aforementioned responses from Jubilee govt tells it all that they were against Cord’s push for a third referendum.
Duale and his ilk should explain to their sycophants why they now want to ‘take over’ referendum push from Cord. The truth of the matter is that the govt is panicking that such a push by Cord will make opposition maintain relevancy and popularity especially after government realized that governors across political divide is in support of a referendum. Governors want the increased funds to counties be improved and anchored into laws.
President Uhuru had thought it right to kill two birds with one stone but it backfired. He signed into law a bill seeking to increase money to counties and also have senators as chairmen of county board. These changes did not go well with a majority of governors. Governors then met to plan a court battle and a referendum.
Kenyans have so far witnessed two referendums. The first came in 2005 that led to formation of ODM. Raila , Kalonzo and Balala were joined by Moi and Nyayo orphans such as Uhuru, Ruto and Mudavadi. Kibaki was humiliated at the polls. Kibaki’s administration almost came to its knees.
Later a vibrant political party ODM restructured itself to send Kibaki packing. The rest remains history.
The second referendum came in 2010. Grand coalition govt of Raila and Kibaki supported the proposed 2010 draft. Rebel ODM Pentagon member William Arap Ruto opposed the draft. The draft passed but Ruto succeeded in forming a political party to spoil for RAO in vote rich Rift Valley. Now Uhuruto formed jubilee govt that is opposed to the opposition , Cord’s push for a third referendum.
As already mentioned above the duo fear a political realignment by Cord and simmering political revolt that would boxed them out of 2017 political contest.
The referendum would check into their tyranny of numbers. The outcome could actually leave a bad taste into the mouths of jubilee administration.
‪#‎debenyale‬.