Jubilee MPs allied to Deputy President William Ruto have opposed calls for amendment of the constitution to create more posts in government. The leaders concurred that the winner in the presidential race shouldn’t take it all, but that the loser should take up the opposition position to keep the government in check. Pokot South MP David Pkossing and his Kapenguria counterpart Samuel Moroto urged those who are pushing for a referendum to lay the debate before Kenyans to decide. Pkossing said the referendum is a plot to undermine and block DP Ruto’s presidential bid, adding that the handshake has been misunderstood. “Many people are misunderstanding the handshake. It was aimed at bringing harmony, unity, improve the welfare of Kenyans, create job opportunities for youths, help in industrialization and make sure there is universal health care, not to reward politicians,” he said.
Speaking at Karas Secondary school, Pokot South MP Pkossing said the referendum process is expensive and that those who are advocating for constitutional changes won’t succeed. “We have the numbers in parliament and in the public to defeat those who are trying to jeopardize the aspirations of our Deputy President,” he outlined.
The legislator said a focus on development will give the unity pact more meaning amid fears that it has everything to do with the 2022 succession politics. “It is unfortunate that some people are taking advantage of the handshake to push for amendments to the Constitution. We will not allow that to happen.”
Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto said a referendum shouldn’t focus on creating positions. He said constitutional changes should make sure Cabinet Secretaries are appointed from within parliament.