DRAFT CAMPAIGNS

Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Thursday poured cold water on calls to reach consensus on sticking points in the draft law.

As he started his Coast Province tour, the PM strongly pitched for the proposed constitution, saying it promises sweeping, positive changes in the way Kenyans are governed.

The document addresses the thorny issue of land and gives citizens more say on how public funds are used in their areas. They could not afford to reject it, said Mr Odinga. These, combined with electoral reforms, would go a long way in addressing the numerous ills in Kenya, added the PM.

In sentiments shared by seven Cabinet ministers who were with him, Mr Odinga described those championing the No vote as dishonest. “Let Kenyans themselves taste and see if the broth is not good enough and more salt is needed to make it better,” said the Prime Minister.

He said negotiations on the outstanding issues, including the kadhi courts and abortion, were unnecessary. “Those involved in the negotiations will not agree even if they do it until the year 3000,” Mr Odinga said to applause from the crowd.

He spoke at a rally in Taveta Town at the start of his four-day tour that will take him to nearly eight Coast districts. One the first day, the PM opened a new immigration office at Taveta border point, built at a cost of Sh40 million. He also laid the foundation stone for a Sh318 million modern market and bus park.

He arrived at the Taveta airstrip at 10.25 am aboard a Kenya Wildlife Service plane, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and ministers Amason Kingi (East African Co-operation), Fred Gumo (Regional Development), Otieno Kajwang’ (Immigration and Registration), Paul Otwoma (Fisheries Development), Mohammed Elmi (Northern Kenya Development), assistant minister in the PM’s office Alfred Khangati and politician Kalembe Ndile.

He was received at the airstrip by area MP and Special Programmes Minister Naomi Shaban and Coast Provincial Commissioner Ernest Munyi. In their speeches, the ministers and Mr Ndile set the tone for the meeting with calls to support the draft.

Mr Odinga said it would not be prudent for Kenyans to reject the draft over three contentious chapters and four clauses out of the 18 chapters and 263 clauses. Christians had no reason to oppose the kadhi court because the court only concerns Muslims.

On abortion, the PM said there were adequate provisions in the document prohibiting it and allows it when the mother’s life was threatened by a pregnancy.

Register afresh

The draft constitution also removes powers to allocate land from the hands of two people – President and Lands Commissioner and vests it with the Commission of Land while also increasing the amount of public resources – more than 15 per cent of national revenue that is allocated to counties for regional development.

Revisiting the electoral fiasco that became of the 2007 Presidential elections, Mr Odinga said the ongoing reforms would level the playing field for elections and make them transparent and credible. He urged Kenyans to turn out in large numbers and register afresh so they can give a Yes to the draft.

The PM said the Voi-Mwatate-Taveta road would be tarmacked with funding from African Development Bank. Mr Mudavadi said the new Constitution would ensure equitable distribution of public appointments with Parliament having the role of vetting appointments by the President. This, he said will eliminate favouritism and tribalism in public office appointments.

Mr Ndile, the self-proclaimed “son of a squatter” said most people opposed to the Draft Constitution owned vast tracks of land and fear they would be lost adding: “We must see why some of these people are saying No.”

Mr Kajwang said the new, fully computerised border immigration office would enhance security by vetting visitors. Mr Kingi urged the Coast province to give a resounding “Yes” in the referendum. The PM later visited Wundanyi, toured the local Wesu and Mwatate hospitals and later addressed a rally.