President Kenyatta said the opposition should focus on keeping the government on its toes. Photo/ FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 14 – Just days after Robert Mugabe told his political detractors to, “go hang,” President Uhuru Kenyatta is telling his foes to give him a break.
Kenyatta on Wednesday tore into former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, accusing him of being hypocritical by calling for the amendment of a Constitution he (Odinga) actively campaigned to have enacted.
“Where were you when we passed the Constitution into law? Weren’t you the very same ones who advocated for it? Now that it’s law let us all heed it,” President Kenyatta urged.
The Head of State said he has lost all patience for the opposition’s constant criticism of his newly formed government and threats to put the country through a referendum.
“The elections are over and even I have refrained from politicising issues but I’ve had enough – give Kenyans a break!”
Kenyatta challenged the opposition to prove their love for Kenya by rising beyond partisan politics and working toward Kenya’s betterment.
“Be productive, offer solutions. Help us do better. Don’t threaten us at every turn. I don’t have use for that,” he said.
Odinga and his Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) have on numerous occasions accused President Kenyatta’s government of undermining devolution.
Their latest foray is a push for a referendum in the hopes of making amendments to the Constitution that would accord counties greater power and resources.
Where were you when we passed the Constitution into law? Weren’t you the very same ones who advocated for it? Now that it’s law let us all heed it
“Devolution is key to the economic prosperity of this nation. However, there are some constitutional articles which are a deterrent to effective implementation of the process, hence a referendum is the only way to go,” Odinga said over the weekend.
On Wednesday, Odinga’s allies led by his senior aide Eliud Owallo launched for a constitutional amendment to change the way Kenyas elect their President. Owalo would like the country to adopt America’s way of electing the head of government through a collegiate system.
The Chairman of the Governor’s Council Isaac Ruto has however joined President Kenyatta in accusing the opposition of using devolution as a way to remain politically relevant.
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