Ichung’wah Says Mudavadi’s Referendum Call Not Kenya Kwanza Position

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has said that calls for a constitutional referendum by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi do not reflect the official position of the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Speaking on 30 December, Ichung’wah said Mudavadi’s remarks on constitutional reform were personal views rather than government policy. He noted that although Mudavadi serves at the centre of government, his comments should be understood as his own assessment of the country’s situation. 

Addressing NTV, Ichung’wah said the Prime Cabinet Secretary had been clear that he was not speaking on behalf of Kenya Kwanza. Mudavadi, who also serves as Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, had earlier argued that Kenya should review its Constitution 15 years after its adoption. 

In a statement issued on Christmas Eve, he proposed formalising the offices of Prime Minister and Leader of the Official Opposition. He said such changes would promote inclusivity and ensure broader regional representation in government. Mudavadi also suggested that a referendum could be held alongside the 2027 general elections.

Ichung’wah cautioned against combining constitutional reform with the electoral process. He said the 2027 elections will already involve six separate ballots and warned that adding a referendum would place excessive strain on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). 

He noted that the commission, chaired by Erastus Edung Ethekon and sworn in mid-July 2025, recently conducted by-elections in November, which he described as an initial test of its capacity. He said the IEBC needs time to stabilise its operations before being tasked with managing both a general election and a referendum. 

Ichung’wah argued that constitutional amendments should be considered after the 2027 polls to avoid complicating the electoral process and increasing the risk of political tension.