Martin Oloo slams Raila over call for a constitution amendment
Political analyst and governance commentator Martin Oloo has flatly opposed Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga’s latest call to amend the Constitution.
Speaking to a local TV station on Wednesday, August 28, 2025, Oloo said Kenyans should not be treated to unnecessary emotions that may destabilise the country’s governance system.
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“Our country is in a good place, 15 years down the line, with the new Constitution. What we need is to have conversations and continue looking for improvements.
“It is not the time to discuss amendments; it is not the time to get tired. Let us not get tired of 47 counties, for example.
“I want people like Baba to leave us alone so that we can be able to experiment with these things slowly. The problem is that we are weeping up unnecessary emotions,” Oloo said.
Raila pushes for a three-tier system
The ODM leader, speaking during Katiba Day celebrations at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) on Tuesday, August 27, 2025, had urged the country to embrace constitutional reforms.
He argued that Kenya’s 47 devolved units are too fragmented to deliver effective development and that a new three-tier system would serve citizens better.
“The time has come for the country to re-examine the whole issue of devolution. Kenya, in my view, is too tiny for 47 devolved units; we are just five short of the US, which is a continent.
“Nigeria, with 200 million people, has 34 plus Abuja, South Africa has nine. I won’t advocate for the abolishment of any county, but I believe we are ripe for a three-tier system that has national, regional and counties,” Raila remarked.
Divided opinions
Raila’s remarks have since triggered a heated national debate. Supporters argue that regional governments could strengthen economic blocs, enhance accountability, and reduce duplication of roles between the national and county levels.
However, critics like Oloo believe the push risks reopening divisive debates that could destabilise devolution, instead of allowing it to mature.
Analysts observe that with recurrent expenditure already consuming much of county budgets, the conversation on reforming devolution will remain central in the run-up to the 2027 General Election.
