Time to review our constitution is now, says President Kenyatta

With all roads leading to a possible referendum, and all indications pointing to it being a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if’, President Uhuru Kenyatta has once again affirmed that now is the best time to review and reform the 2010 Constitution. The President has lauded the existing document, terming it as one of the most progressive in the region and the world over, but stating it needs to be changed to keep up with emerging realities.

This keeps in check with calls from certain political quarters for a referendum and a recent assertion by the Head of State during the Madaraka Day address to the nation. Although some leaders, those allied to Deputy President William Ruto and Kenyans had said a new Constitutional draft shouldn’t be formulated to create positions, the prevailing idea is that an all inclusive government should be in place, instead of a winner takes all system. Speaking on Wednesday at State House, President Uhuru said previously the Constitution was just a “cease fire document” which calmed tensions. “Instead of a ceasefire document that enforces a winner takes all, the moment calls us to a new time.”

He added that a Constitution is a work in progress and was adopted with a view of making it better, “We must treat our Constitution as a living document that we must constantly adjust to our emerging realities.” On Tuesday, ODM leader Rails Odinga said that he holds the same views as the President on the referendum, and that attention is still focused on the Covid-19 pandemic, after that, the referendum calendar will be reviewed.