RUTO FIGHTS ON

The Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) launched the pilot electronic registration exercise in Agriculture Minister William Ruto’s Eldoret North Constituency with the minister seizing the occasion to drum up support for his campaign against the Proposed Constitution.

Mr Ruto impressed on the locals about the merits of his ‘No’ campaign, saying he would not reverse his position until three chapters were reviewed.

The chapters on land, abortion and devolution according to the minister would negatively decide the fate of the constitution if left as they are.

"Both supporters of ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ campaigns agree that the document has flaws, but we argue that we amend it now, but they insist we pass it first," he said.

He was speaking at Kosachei Primary School on Monday.

The draft constitution in its current form, he said would impose on Kenyans a dictatorial presidency more powerful than the current one.

"We wanted a servant president, but the current constitution has made him more powerful than even a king," he said.

Ruto said the abortion clause remained open to abuse as people could exploit the loopholes to terminate pregnancies.

"Even Jesus would not have been born if this draft existed in his days, as some nurse would have simply used the confusion surrounding his birth to terminate the pregnancy," he said.

The minister then urged his constituents to register for the task ahead.

Boycott registration

He also asked victims of the 2007 post-election violence to warm up to the registration drive, saying their participation would foster reforms.

Ruto said: "I have heard some people say they would boycott registration because of what happened in 2007, but I urge them to participate in the exercise."

IIEC commissioner David Chirchir and the commission’s North Rift co-ordinator Bilha Kiptugen said the team expected to register slightly more than 180,000 voters in Ruto’s constituency.