Jubilee plots to cripple governors' Pesa Mashinani referendum

NAIROBI, KENYA: The Jubilee coalition was Friday lobbying MCAs ahead of their summit in Nairobi today in the latest effort to scuttle a referendum push by governors.

This came barely two days after prevailing upon 18 of the county bosses to opt out. Politicians who spoke to The Standard on Saturday said Jubilee had tasked four key leaders to lobby the MCAs, who are seen as key in determining whether the push goes ahead or falters.

Under the County Assemblies Forum (CAF), about 2,200 MCAs from across the country and the 47 county speakers will attend the summit at the Bomas of Kenya to take a common position on the matter.

Already, there is division among the county representatives, with some backing the governors' agenda while others have accused the county bosses of trying to lure them into supporting their bid, by pushing for the car grants.

 "The leaders are tasked with trying to ensure the referendum bid flops, thereby saving the country from going through a charged political process," said a Jubilee heavyweight who sought anonymity.

Senator Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed he was scheduled to meet MCAs last evening.

"I will be having consultative meeting with the MCAs, where I will brief them on why Jubilee is opposed to the referendum. We must abide by the party directive and I don't understand why they should go opposite direction," he said.

Murkomen remained optimistic that the teething issues facing devolution can be resolved through various mechanisms but not necessarily a public vote.

CAF secretary general Albert Kochai said they have received calls for support by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) and the Council of Governors, but the official position will be known after the weekend meeting.

"We are having our summit this weekend. We are going to consult on the requests and come up with the right position," he said.

Counties Majority Leaders' chairman Joseph Maclap has however stated that they will back the governors push to ensure smooth implementation of devolution.

"We support the proposed amendment to the Constitution, which will increase the county allocation from 15 per cent to 45 per cent among other issues," he said.

Senate Majority leader Kithure Kindiki, however, downplayed attempts to lure MCAs on their side. "These issues can be addressed through Parliament without necessarily going for a referendum," he said.