Uhuru Rejects Push for Constitutional Referendum

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday rejected the push for a Constitutional referendum spear-headed by Opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The president stated that he was not interested in making countrywide tours to advocate for the position, instead, he would focus.

"I have no time to run around telling people to change the Constitution. It won’t solve the problems we have. But engaging with the private sector on manufacturing like we are doing (I) will," the president stated.

President Kenyatta was speaking at State House, Nairobi, during a follow-up meeting to last week’s 8th Presidential Round Table Forum that brought together stakeholders from government and the Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).

[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta with Raila Odinga when they shook hands on March 9"][/caption]

On corruption, the Head of State said the vice will be fought ruthlessly but also warned that those who malign others on social media will not be spared.

"We are going to deal ruthlessly with corruption both real and perceived," President Kenyatta stated.

He urged the manufacturers and private sector players to join hand with the government to achieve the Big Four agenda.

"The whole purpose of this meeting is not for blame games. The aim is to see how together as a nation and as Government – the executive, the legislature and the judiciary – we can join hands constructively with the private sector to enhance manufacturing and create jobs," he urged.

He emphasized that the main job of the Government is to cultivate an enabling environment so that private sector can create jobs.

"That is why I wanted MPs to listen, and to hear what the concerns of the private sector are. I also want MPs to raise issues of what they feel needs to be done," the president urged.

Here is a video of the president speaking on the constitution change.

 

I have no time to run around telling people to change the Constitution. It won’t solve the problems we have. We already have a Constitution. There is no time for a referendum. pic.twitter.com/hcL5pPD4n0

— President of Kenya (@PresidentKE) May 18, 2018

 

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