The National Dialogue Committee formed by Kenya Kwanza and Azimio has recommended various reforms.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga is now calling for a referendum saying that some of the proposals will cause a change of the structure of government, which would necessitate a referendum under the 2010 constitution.
However it is not clear that the creation of a Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition actually change the structure of government. Musalia Mudavadi is already Prime CS so what's the difference? And the post of Leader of the Opposition will essentially be honorific for the losing presidential candidate.
However the extension of Senate terms from five to seven years would indeed change the structure of government and would definitely require a referendum, especially as it might eventually result in all terms of office being extended to seven years including the president's.
And would this be an omnibus referendum like the BBI where good proposals are lumped together with bad ones under a single Yes/No vote? If this referendum goes ahead, voters should definitely vote Yes or No to proposals separately.
Ruto supporters rightly say Sh6 billion for a dubious referendum is a waste of money.
Quote of the day: "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."
Napoleon Bonaparte
He crowned himself Emperor of the French on December 2, 1804
