By Ongaga Ongaga
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has floated the idea of holding the 2027 General Election alongside a constitutional referendum.
Mudavadi argues that several long-standing governance issues could be resolved through a direct public vote.
Mudavadi said unresolved constitutional matters could be consolidated into clearly framed referendum questions and subjected to a nationwide vote during the 2027 polls.
If properly structured and managed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), he said, the process would be both practical and progressive.
“We can use the 2027 election as the first example to have those issues that have never been resolved crafted into sensible referendum questions that will help amend our 2010 Constitution,” Mudavadi said.
He added that discussions on the proposal should begin in 2026 to allow adequate public engagement ahead of the election.
“If Kenyans can vote for six leaders on one ballot paper, I believe we are mature enough to include two or three constitutional questions so that we can move the country forward,” he said.
Mudavadi, who also serves as Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, said such a process would further entrench Kenya’s democratic credentials, citing precedents such as the Supreme Court’s nullification of a presidential election.
“A successful process will not only set a precedent in Africa but also attract global recognition,” he noted.
Speaking during an end-of-year media interview at CHAMS Media in Nairobi on, Mudavadi said the debate was necessary because some issues have proved difficult for Parliament and the courts to conclusively resolve.
“That is why the voice of Kenyans must prevail,” he said.
He pointed to the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report as a possible anchor for the proposed referendum, noting that while Parliament was tasked with resolving the issues raised, progress has been slow.
“Why can’t we take some of these matters to the IEBC and have one or two questions subjected to a constitutional referendum?” he posed.
Among the issues he cited were inclusivity in governance, the possible introduction of a substantive Prime Minister, the future of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), and the long-delayed implementation of the two-thirds gender rule.
Mudavadi dismissed concerns about cost, arguing that holding the referendum alongside the general election would not significantly increase expenses.
“This approach would save time, reduce costs, increase voter turnout, and allow the country to move away from endless political bickering to focus on development, job creation, and economic recovery,” he said.