CIC defends referendum campaign

PHOTO | REBECCA NDUKU | DPPS Deputy President William Ruto and Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution boss Charles Nyachae during the Law Society of Kenya annual conference at Leisure Lodge beach resort and spa.  DPPS

By Nation Correspondent
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Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution boss Charles Nyachae has defended Cord’s push for a referendum, saying it is the party’s constitutional right to demand for the vote.

Mr Nyachae asked Kenyans to go slow on their condemnation of Cord, whose leaders want a national referendum to change Kenya from a presidential to a parliamentary system of government.

Mr Nyachae said those pushing for the referendum had a constitutional right to do so and should not be viewed as “devils” or anti-development.

COURT INTERPRETATION
“The Constitution has provisions under sections 255, 256 and 257 that give citizens the right to call for a referendum so, do not demonise those doing so,” he said.

Mr Nyachae said this during an interview after the closure of a Law Society of Kenya (LSK) annual conference at Leisure Lodge beach resort and spa in the South Coast on Friday. The chairman who insisted that the position he had taken was that of CIC, said the devolution process had many vested interests.

Mr Nyachae said it is time that the courts are called upon to interpret the law on the devolved system and help the country move forward in the right direction.