CHURCH HARDENS STAND

The church hardened its stand on the current draft constitution as it started a countrywide tour urging worshippers to reject the draft if no amendments were made.

The Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Churches of Kenya called worshipers to register in the ongoing voters registration as one step of rejecting the draft.

National Chairman, Bishop Dr Joseph Methu said they would campaign for "No" if the issue of the Kadhi courts and Abortion are not addressed.

Addressing the congregation at the Naivasha United Church, he said politicians advocating for the "Yes" campaign were merely advancing their political agenda for 2012.

"All we are asking for is the amendments of the two contentious issues before the referendum is held," said Bishop Methu.

He accused politicians of misleading people on the issue of Kadhi courts saying in the current constitution, the courts were limited to the costal strip.

He said there was still time to amend the contentious issues in Parliament before the referendum is held, adding that the proposed constitution in its current form was likely to divide Kenyans.

"We don't want to have a polarized country just like it happened in the 2005 referendum," said the FEICCK National Chairman.

He said the church was wiling to meet the two principals to have the matters resolved to enable the country to have "a non contested referendum."

He said one passed it would be "extremely difficult" to amend the document especially on issues touching on the Bill of rights.

He appealed to Christians to register as voters to enable them make a decision during the referendum and urged them to first read and understand the document.