Ichung’wah Separates Kenya Kwanza From Mudavadi’s Referendum Push Ahead of 2027 Polls

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has clarified that the Kenya Kwanza administration has not adopted Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s proposal to hold a constitutional referendum alongside the 2027 General Election.

Speaking during an interview on NTV on Tuesday, December 30, Ichung’wah said Mudavadi’s remarks reflected a personal opinion rather than an official government position.

Mudavadi, speaking on December 24, argued that Kenya should consider reviewing its Constitution 15 years after its promulgation. 

He proposed the formalisation of the offices of Prime Minister and Leader of the Official Opposition, saying the move would enhance regional inclusion in governance. 

“There is an imperative need for a constitutional review. To present a unified face of government, we must institutionalise these offices so that all regions feel represented,” Mudavadi said.

He further suggested that the referendum could be conducted at the same time as the 2027 General Election.

Ichung’wah, however, stressed that Kenya Kwanza has not taken a position on the proposal.

“The Prime Cabinet Secretary serves in the Kenya Kwanza administration, but he was clear that what he shared were his personal views and not the position of the coalition,” the Majority Leader said.

While acknowledging that Mudavadi had raised a legitimate national conversation, Ichung’wah cautioned against merging constitutional questions with the next general election.

The Kikuyu MP warned that introducing a referendum during the polls could further polarise the country and overstretch electoral institutions.

He noted that Kenyans already vote using six ballots during general elections, arguing that adding a seventh would place unnecessary pressure on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which was reconstituted in mid-2025 under chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon.

Ichung’wah said the recently appointed commission still requires time to stabilise, adding that the November 27, 2025 by-elections served as an early test of its preparedness.

The Majority Leader proposed that any constitutional amendments be considered after the 2027 elections, rather than during an already complex electoral cycle.

With less than two years remaining before the polls, he questioned the practicality of organising a nationwide referendum alongside the general election.

The debate over constitutional reforms is expected to continue as political actors position themselves ahead of the 2027 contest.