MOI CAMPAIGNS

Former President Moi kicked off the ‘No’ campaign in Nakuru with a message to leaders not to succumb to external pressure.

The former Head of State appealed to President Kibaki to expunge the land chapter and the clause on abortion if he (Kibaki) wants him to back the draft at the referendum.

Moi said the contentious issues in the draft are not views of Kenyans.

He accused the civil society and foreign non-governmental organisations of hijacking the constitutional review.

"NGOs and civil society groups funded by foreign governments came up with proposals that were not from Kenyans," he said.

He blamed MPs for allowing foreigners to dictate what should be in the constitution.

"MPs failed Kenyans when they allowed the civil society to take a seat in the review process," he said.

Moi further said political wrangles and the 2012 succession battles had complicated the search for a new constitution.

"We should have forgotten about party politics and 2012 succession. A constitution is an important document that should not be pegged on such issues," he said.

He was addressing a huge crowd that turned up at Kamkunji grounds in Nakuru for a rally that launched the ‘No’ campaign against the Proposed Constitution.

Among those at the rally were Assistant Ministers Wilfred Machage and Lee Kinyanjui.

Others were Rift Valley MPs Luka Kigen, David Koech, Elijah Langat, Julius Kones and Peris Simam.

Nakuru Mayor John Kitilit, former MPs Nick Salat, Mark Too, David Manyara, Zipporah Kittony, Ezekiel Barngetuny, David Sudi, Wilson Leitich and Paul Sang also attended the rally.

Moi said the current constitution had served the country well and only needed amendments.

Law and order

"The American one has lasted them for more than 200 years and amended many times and is still serving them. Why can’t we amend the clauses in the current constitution?" he posed.

The former President also urged those campaigning for and against the draft to maintain law and order and accommodate each other’s views.

"Whatever side you are supporting you must not harm the other person. Let us have peace during this time," he said.

On abortion, Moi said: "How can one negotiate with evil? If there is any Kenyan who gave any view on abortion, he should stand up and say so."

Machage, the Roads Assistant Minister, said he had parted ways with Kibaki over the draft.

"Kibaki is a friend of mine with whom we have fought many political battles, but on the matter of the Proposed Constitution, I can never defend him," he said.

He said he had issues with the chapter on devolution and land policy that required to be addressed before the referendum.

The crowd put Kinyanjui, who is also an Assistant minister in the same ministry and Nakuru Town MP, to task when they demanded that he declares his stand on the draft.

The MP’s attempts to avoid saying ‘No’ to the draft was jeered by wananchi who insisted he states his stand.