In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, December 24, Kuria said conducting the referendum as an additional ballot during the 2027 polls would give Kenyans a rare opportunity to directly address long-standing governance challenges that have persisted since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.
“I fully support the call by Musalia Mudavadi to have a referendum as the seventh ballot during the 2027 General Elections,” Kuria said, adding that the moment was ripe for honest national reflection.
The former cabinet secretary argued that while Kenya’s constitution is widely praised for its progressive nature, experience over the past 15 years has revealed gaps that can no longer be ignored.
According to Kuria, the country has relied too heavily on political compromises instead of addressing core structural problems.
“Our constitution is one of the best in the world, but we must face reality,” he said.
“Our constitution is one of the best in the world, but we must face reality,” he said.
“The lie we live has forced us into shortcuts like handshakes, dialogue committees and broad-based arrangements. That is like taking painkillers when what we need is surgery.”
Kuria maintained that a referendum would allow citizens to openly debate and resolve issues that political negotiations have failed to settle.
Kuria maintained that a referendum would allow citizens to openly debate and resolve issues that political negotiations have failed to settle.
He said repeated power-sharing deals were symptoms of deeper constitutional weaknesses that needed permanent solutions.
The CCK leader also revealed that the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga had shared similar views on constitutional reform.
The CCK leader also revealed that the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga had shared similar views on constitutional reform.
Kuria claimed the two leaders had previously agreed to jointly push for amendments aimed at stabilising governance and strengthening inclusivity.
“Baba Raila Odinga and I had agreed that these issues needed to be addressed through constitutional change,” Kuria said.
“Baba Raila Odinga and I had agreed that these issues needed to be addressed through constitutional change,” Kuria said.
“I have been advocating for this since 2016. It is time for our cheap political makeup to fall off.”
Mudavadi recently floated the idea of aligning a referendum with the 2027 elections, arguing that the approach would save public funds while maximising voter participation.
Mudavadi recently floated the idea of aligning a referendum with the 2027 elections, arguing that the approach would save public funds while maximising voter participation.
He said holding the vote separately would be costly and unnecessary, especially when Kenyans would already be heading to the ballot.
According to Mudavadi, the referendum could address unresolved constitutional questions that have continued to generate political tension.
According to Mudavadi, the referendum could address unresolved constitutional questions that have continued to generate political tension.
Among the proposals likely to be considered are the full implementation of recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) and the entrenchment of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) into the Constitution.
Mudavadi described NADCO as a bipartisan effort aimed at easing political tensions and strengthening national cohesion, adding that some of its recommendations reflect the vision of the late Raila Odinga.
“We have an opportunity to correct some things,” Mudavadi said in a recent public forum.
Mudavadi described NADCO as a bipartisan effort aimed at easing political tensions and strengthening national cohesion, adding that some of its recommendations reflect the vision of the late Raila Odinga.
“We have an opportunity to correct some things,” Mudavadi said in a recent public forum.
“This is perhaps the best time to introduce referendum questions that address issues which have bedevilled our country for a long time.”
The proposal has already sparked debate within political circles, with supporters viewing it as a chance to stabilise governance, while critics warn that constitutional amendments close to an election could be politicised.
However, Kuria dismissed fears that the referendum would distract from the election, arguing that Kenyans are mature enough to make decisions on multiple ballots.
“As a country, we cannot keep postponing difficult conversations,” he said.
The proposal has already sparked debate within political circles, with supporters viewing it as a chance to stabilise governance, while critics warn that constitutional amendments close to an election could be politicised.
However, Kuria dismissed fears that the referendum would distract from the election, arguing that Kenyans are mature enough to make decisions on multiple ballots.
“As a country, we cannot keep postponing difficult conversations,” he said.
“If we miss this chance, we will continue recycling the same political crises every election cycle.”.
0 Comments