'Nobody Can Stop Reggae': Raila Rules Out Merging of Referendum with 2022 Election

ODM leader Raila Odinga has ruled out the holding of a referendum jointly with the 2022 general election.

Speaking at ODM headquarters in Nairobi on Thursday, Raila insisted the referendum must be held separately before the 2022 elections and dismissed claims that it will burden the taxpayer.

“If there is a need for a country to do a referendum, the country does it. It has been done in European countries, in civilized democracies. Why do Kenyans not want it? Why are we being told to do it together with the General Election? That will not work. We will do it before the next General Election,” said Odinga.

He indicated that the exercise will cost less than Sh2 billion, adding that past elections were expensive due to corruption within the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

“A referendum does not have to cost billions…It’s because of corruption in this country that elections cost us over Sh40 billion. A referendum does not need to cost more than Sh2 billion…there is money to do it, and we’re going to teach Mr. Chebukati how to do it,” added Odinga.

While insisting that reggae is unstoppable, Raila said the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) will soon submit its final report to him and President Kenyatta. The report he said will pave the way for a referendum to amend the constitution.

“Myself and President Uhuru Kenyatta are going to receive this BBI report and we will make it public. Reggae did not stop it went on half time. The players have been getting some kind of massage and instructions from the coaches… so shortly the reggae is going to be back.”

“Nobody can stop reggae and eventually we believe that we are going to bring things together and is going to help us in improving governance structures in this country,” he stated.