Africa-Press – Kenya. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has defended his call for a referendum alongside the next general election to help address key constitutional issues.
Mudavadi has dismissed as misguided his critics who argue that he was holding an unconstitutional office and has no moral authority to call for constitutional changes.
The PCS who was speaking in Eldoret said the issues he raised were not about him but national matters which must be addressed. “It is not about me but the future of this country,” Mudavadi said.
He was speaking in Eldoret before presiding over a fundraising at the IVC church to help offset medical bills and repatriate the body of Bishop Joseph Likavo, who died in the United States on December 18, 2025.
Present during the event were Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii, Senator Jackson Mandago and President Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet. Mudavadi has proposed holding a referendum alongside the 2027 general elections to address critical constitutional issues.
He said the move would help resolve long-standing governance concerns, streamline the electoral process, and ensure Kenya’s development isn’t hindered by political battles.
Mudavadi had cited the need to operationalise two offices – Prime Minister and Leader of the Official Opposition – and address issues like the two-thirds gender rule, Constituency Development Fund (CDF) management, and boundary reviews.
He argues that combining the referendum with the elections will save taxpayer money, increase voter turnout, and provide an opportunity for Kenyans to shape their country’s future.
Mudavadi’s proposal has sparked debate, with some viewing it as a necessary step for constitutional reform and others seeing it as a potential recipe for confusion or a way to extend the current administration’s term.
Among those who have rubbished Mudavadi’s call is former Chief Justice David Maraga. Maranga termed the call as part of a “political theatre” and warned Kenyans that the real motive is to extend the presidential term limits.
Maraga argued that Kenya doesn’t have a constitutional crisis, but rather a crisis of implementation and a deficit of integrity. Maraga claimed politicians were manufacturing constitutional moments to expand their powers or create offices for allies. Maraga also questioned Mudavadi’s authority to propose constitutional changes, given that he holds an office not recognised by the Constitution.
But speaking in Eldoret, Mudavadi dismissed Maraga as misguided and claimed that while serving as CJ, Maraga had written to the then President Uhuru Kenyatta demanding dissolution of Parliament for failing to enforce the gender constitutional requirement.
Mudavadi said Maraga had also made a ruling on the CDF kitty, which must be addressed. “Let Maraga go back to his own ruling and the letter he wrote to the President at that time. Let him know that it’s not about me but our country,” Mudavadi said.
