KINGI DEFECTS

Cabinet Minister Amason Kingi has denied claims that he was in Ruto’s ‘No’ campaign team.

"I am not in Ruto’s camp at all and those claiming so have got it all wrong," he said.

Other coast MPs have also vowed to drum up support for the Proposed Constitution, saying the document is better than the current law.

The leaders distanced themselves from Ruto’s ‘No’ team, claiming the move would take Kenya a step backward in the quest for reforms.

Environment Assistant Minister Ramadhan Kajembe (Changamwe), his Lands counterpart Gonzi Rai (Kinango) and MPs Ben Gunda (Bahari), Shakilla Abdalla (nominated) and Masoud Mwahima of Likoni said the current Constitution should not be retained.

Mr Kajembe said there was no reason to vote ‘No’ since the proposed counties would fill the place of ‘majimbo’, which Coast Province has been clamouring for.

Mr Gunda said land matters would be adequately addressed by the National Land Policy, whose regulations are being formulated.

Status quo

"The Proposed Constitution is better than the current one and rejecting it would retain the status quo. We have an opportunity to have a new order and we must not lose it," Gunda said.

Shakilla said Kenyans have clamoured for a new law for many years. "We have to get a new law and make amendments later. The 47 counties provided for makes the proposed document even much better than the current Constitution," she said.

Mr Mwahima also distanced himself from the ‘No’ campaign team.

He said he was with his party leader Raila Odinga in the ‘Yes’ campaign team. He denied ever enjoying links with Ruto’s camp.

Mr Rai vowed to campaign vigorously for the passage of the document as long as Attorney General Amos Wako did not make any changes.

Mwahima also expressed support for the new law. "The people branding me as a supporter of Ruto are being malicious," he said. Speaking to The Standard from Western Province via the telephone, Mwahima said his detractors are behind the claims.

"I am with President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga in ensuring the proposed law is passed as it is," said Mwahima.

He said he would launch a ‘Yes’ campaign in Likoni to ensure his constituents were not left behind.