Mudavadi: IEBC can’t be trusted with referendum
Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi yesterday trashed the possibility of the country holding a referendum on the Constitution this year due to lack of reforms in the national electoral agency.
Mudavadi who was speaking on Milele FM’s Breakfast show questioned the preparedness and credibility of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as presently composed.
“IEBC as currently constituted has been put on the spotlight due to corruption and election malpractices which are yet to be addressed,” said Mudavadi.
He noted that the electoral agency which was reprimanded by the Supreme Court for bungling the first 2017 presidential election must be reformed first before it can be entrusted to conduct a referendum vote.
“I do not want to experience a referendum or election that will cause mayhem and deaths of innocent children like Baby Pendo and other Kenyans,” he said.
His sentiments come a few days after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who was also speaking on the same station declared that a referendum was inevitable.
The Opposition chief has been rallying for a vote to ratify proposal in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) initial report among them dramatic changes in the structure of the Executive that will see creation of the position of Prime Minister with two deputies.
“It is true a referendum is coming before the end of the year. There is no going back.
The BBI task force will present their findings once the Covid-19 crisis ends,” Raila said without elaborating.
Other issues to consider on the possibility of a plebiscite, according to the ANC chief, will be the availability of cash for the vote.
“The country is dealing with Covid-19 which has affected the economy greatly, it should be a moment of concern if the referendum is a priority,” added Mudavadi.
Mudavadi laughed off the idea that Opposition leaders including himself would be incorporated in a national unity government.
“The Constitution does not talk about government of national unity. This is a ploy and propaganda by a section of leaders to decimate others,” said Mudavadi.
There has been talk in political corridors that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to sign a coalition deal with Kanu could be an indication of a wider scheme to form a national government as a launching pad for the Uhuru succession battle.
Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Party is also in a ‘co-operation agreement’ with Jubilee.
He said no party under the National Super Alliance has entered into co-habitation with the governing Jubilee coalition.
He said Nasa parties had an agreement to last for five years which has not been dissolved yet member can be in two coalitions.
“If some want to get into other coalitions, they should quit through the laid down procedure and stop playing rat-and-mouse games with Kenyans,” he added.
