Nandi Governor Stephen Sang and Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur have called for a national referendum to be held concurrently with the 2027 General Election, arguing that constitutional amendments are long overdue.
The two leaders, who spoke during a Sunday service at AIC Boma Church in Kapsabet, said holding the referendum on the same date as the polls would cut costs and guarantee wider citizen participation.
MP Kitur noted that while the 2010 Constitution was a landmark in Kenya’s democratic journey, it now required fine-tuning to address persistent challenges.
“Let us start the process of changing the Constitution as soon as now. If there are bad issues, let us work on them right away. Those who drafted the law had foresight, but 15 years down the line, some gaps remain. It is time to bring the process and kickstart the changes,” Kitur said.
He proposed that all pressing constitutional issues be consolidated into a single referendum question to be decided by voters in 2027.
Governor Sang supported the proposal, stressing that a review was necessary after more than a decade of implementing the charter.
“With 15 years of a new constitutional dispensation, we can now say that it is time to make some adjustments. We must evaluate what has worked and what has failed, so that the law can better support development and stability,” Sang said.
The leaders highlighted the controversies surrounding the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), which has faced repeated legal challenges, and the unimplemented two-thirds gender rule as priority areas for constitutional amendment.
Their push adds to growing national debate on constitutional reform. Recently, ODM leader Raila Odinga also proposed changes, including strengthening devolution to cover sectors such as education.
Analysts note that while Kenyans are cautious about constitutional change especially after the failed Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) the idea of aligning a referendum with a general election could gain traction if it significantly reduces costs and avoids polarizing campaigns.
Whether the proposal will attract broader political consensus remains to be seen, but the renewed calls signal that constitutional reform is once again moving to the heart of Kenya’s political discourse.
