This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
Raila Eyes December Referendum Amid Covid-19 Pandemic ¶
ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga has set his eyes on a referendum before the end of 2020, despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking to NTV's Kennedy Murithi on August 5, 2020, Raila stated that Kenya has a window to conduct a referendum by December 2020.
He attributed the delay to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has disrupted many activities, and expressed hope that the pandemic would peak by September 2020, allowing for a referendum in November or December 2020.
Raila emphasized that the government would find a way to conduct the vote without risking the lives of millions of Kenyans, citing examples of countries that have held elections during the pandemic.
He noted that there is no precedent for a global emergency affecting elections and voting, and that Kenya could learn from other countries that have held elections during the pandemic.
However, many analysts had poured water on the possibility of holding a referendum amid the Covid-19 pandemic, citing the dangers associated with campaigns and voting.
Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kang'ata expressed confidence that the country was in a position to hold the anticipated vote before 2021, citing the expected release of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report and the president's direction.
The report is expected to cause a showdown in Parliament following the fall out of senators involving the division of revenue formula.
Senators from Mt Kenya region have pegged support for the BBI report on the adoption of the controversial one man one vote one shilling formula, which Odinga has opposed.
