This archive report was first published on 19 July 2019.
On July 19, 2019, the Democratic Party expressed its opposition to calls for a referendum, emphasizing the need for the government to address the pressing issue of drought and hunger in the country.
The party's National Organising Secretary, Njagi Kumantha, stated that the plebiscite is not a priority, given the severe food shortage affecting many areas, particularly in Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and parts of Meru.
Mr. Kumantha noted that inadequate rainfall in Mt. Kenya regions has led to a prolonged food shortage, which may persist until January 2020.
He urged the government to allow the importation of maize to alleviate the effects of drought, advocating for a normal import procedure that is taxed to ensure people have enough to eat.
“We want a normal import procedure which is taxed so that people have enough to eat. We have a big problem since the rains came late and didn’t last long enough for crops to mature,” Mr. Kumantha said.
He also emphasized the need for civic education on the referendum process to prevent wastage of resources and ensure that the public understands the issues at hand.
Responding to the IEBC's announcement of receiving 1.2 million signatures in support of a referendum, Dr. Kumantha called for restraint, questioning the ability of the IEBC to conduct a credible referendum in its current state.
He advocated for an overhaul of the IEBC to restore public confidence in the institution, stating, “The IEBC is currently a one-man show in the name of Wafula Chebukati. There are two others but they are never heard. I don’t think IEBC can give us a credible exercise. We are very ill prepared to carry out a referendum,”
