CORD out to take us back, Ruto warns Kenyans

Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto has dismissed calls for a referendum, saying those advocating it plan to derail development.

Thanking governors and members of county assemblies who have abandoned their push for a referendum, Ruto said CORD only wants to confuse Kenyans.

"We are a Government that cares. We are accountable and we shall remain so. Those calling for the referendum are a confused lot who want to take Kenyans back to the old ways of doing things," the DP said in Narok yesterday.

Ruto led 21 Jubilee MPs and a senator in rubbishing the launch of the collection of one million signatures to press for a referendum. The leaders asked Kenyans not to append their signatures, claiming the Opposition was planning to take power through unorthodox means.

Senate Majority Leader Kindiki Kithure said they support plans to increase revenue allocation to the counties for devolution and accused CORD leader Raila Odinga of working with governors to frustrate devolution.

"They want devolution to fail so that come 2017, Kenyans will blame the Jubilee administration," Kithure, who accompanied the DP in raising funds for women groups in Narok County, said.

He dismissed CORD as a confused outfit yet to decide the questions they intend to put to the vote.