On July 27, 2019, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga attended the burial of the late Johnstone Barmagon Kassenge, a former nominated councillor, at his home in Chesongoch, Elgeyo-Marakwet County. During the event, Raila urged his supporters to prepare for a referendum, emphasizing that only one initiated by the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) should be supported, as the taskforce was set to conclude its work and present findings the following week.