ODM deputy leader Osotsi opposes referendum push, claims plot to extend term limit

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi has termed the push for a referendum a sinister move by government loyalists aimed at extending their term in office.

Osotsi claimed the ongoing discussions suggest the referendum is intended to extend the current five-year term to seven years.

“I heard our fellow members from UDA in Mbale saying that they want a referendum because boundary review ilichelewa, because they want many wards. I read a sinister motive in that proposal because we are fighting ourselves by saying that because even when we were protesting, they refused,” he said.

“They even went to court to stop the formation of IEBC. Now they want it when it is one and half years to elections. We know what you are upto. They want to increase term limits from 5 to 7 years for MCAs, MPs, Senators and the president. Are you ready for us to waste your time?”

The Vihiga Senator said some of the proposals, such as boundary reviews, are a decoy fronted by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and his team to divert Kenyans from key national issues.

He further suggested that any referendum should be held on a different date and not alongside the General Election, to allow proper consideration of issues such as those contained in the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) report.

“We know your intentions and we know that we need a referendum on different issues as highlighted in the NADCO report. But don’t tell us we need a referendum for boundary review. I will only accept a referendum that protects the interests of Kenyans,” he noted.

"We want us to do the basic things, which is the implementation of the 10-point agenda agreed in the broad-based government."