Nandi Governor Stephen Sang on Monday, November 16, vowed to block and chase out agents of President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM Leader Raila Odinga from collecting signatures in his county.
Sang warned Odinga and Kenyatta's associates to stay away from Nandi in their nationwide one-million signature collection aimed at facilitating a referendum that will introduce constitutional amendments proposed by the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) team.
The Jubilee governor urged the head of state to reconsider all political events and rather focus on curbing the spread of Covid-19.
"In Nandi County, we won't agree nor accept the collection of signatures for the BBI referendum. No one will sign. We want cushions and packages for residents against Coronavirus.
"It is sad to see the nation leaving Kenyans to offset hospital bills yet it is popularizing a document that they say will help unite the country. Let us spend those billions on the health sector," Sang urged.
The Health Ministry stated that it is not financially viable for the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to cover the bills for Covid-19 for both public and private hospitals. The government termed the bills expensive and asked Kenyans to cover their own expenses.
Sang urged Kenyatta to reorganise his priorities and champion for NHIF covers rather than campaigns for BBI and referendum.
On Monday, November 16, Sang's ally and Deputy President William Ruto also drummed up support against the referendum. The DP also urged his own government to shelve plans to change the constitution.
"A divisive referendum process cannot be used to achieve a united country.
“We must at the moment prioritize the health of our people and focus on countering the effects of Covid-19," Ruto prayed.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga directed that one million signatures will be submitted to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as required by the constitution.
IEBC will then organise for a referendum between April 4 and June 4 2021.
