Tower of Babel

By Standard Team

Even before the Proposed Constitution is published campaigns for or against the draft have kicked off in most regions of the country.

In some region, however, the campaign mood has not set in yet.

In Rift Valley Province, though campaigns are yet to be rolled out formally, Agriculture Minister William Ruto has teamed with local MPs in campaigning against the draft.

Bishop Cornelius Korir of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret, Bishop Silas Yego of the African Inland Church, Bishop Thomas Kogo of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), the Reverend Paul Leleito of the African Gospel Church are among religious leaders campaigning against the draft.

Bishop Jackson ole Sabit of ACK Kericho Diocese and Reverend Leleito led representatives of 30 churches from South Rift region in rejecting the draft and vowed to carry out civic education ahead of the referendum.

Genuine concern

Bishop Korir said President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and MPs had failed to listen to the Church‘s concerns on the draft.

"The leaders pushing for a No vote have a valid reason to do so. They have genuine concern about the issues raised just like the Church has done," Korir said.

Kalenjin Council of Elders has also taken a No stance on the Proposed Constitution ahead of the referendum in what is shaping up to be a bruising campaign.

Major (rtd) John Seii, the council chairman said it was upon Kibaki and Raila to ensure contentious issues addressed ahead of the referendum.

"The proposed National Land Commission to regulate and manage land is detrimental to the community’s interest," Seii said.

At the Coast, the Attorney-General heightened campaigns on the Proposed Constitution ahead of the publication of the draft in a few weeks.

At the weekend, several groups backing the Yes and No campaigns drummed up support for their sides.

Although those in the Yes camp were more vocal in the region, the opposing camp also put up a spirited fight to air their views.

Kaddu Asili National Chairman Francis Baya indicated the Proposed Constitution failed to include a comprehensive devolution of governance and resources.

"I am asking Coast residents and Kenyans in general to carefully read the document once published and make up their minds. But I am not comfortable with it myself," Mr Baya said.

The Ganze MP was addressing residents of Kinango constituency.

Similarly, Bura MP Nuh Nasir said he would only urge Kenyans to make informed decision after reading the document because he was not happy with several clauses.

He said several ODM-Kenya officials would campaign against the draft unless contentious clauses are amended before the referendum.

"I belong to the middle ground in this matter. I urge Kenyans to read the draft and make informed decision," Dr Nasir said.

ODM-Kenya officials Peterson Mittau, Benson Maithya, Amina Abdalla and Afya Rama also called for fresh dialogue on the draft before the referendum.

Shirikisho Party of Kenya National Chairperson Linah Mkasi Buni and Secretary-General Yusuf Abubakar said they would oppose the document because it excluded majimbo.

"Kenyans want majimbo and we feel the counties will not serve the purpose. The draft also retains a powerful president," Mr Abubakar says.

While accompanying Raila on his just concluded Coast tour, East African Community Minister Mr Amason Kingi avoided direct support to the draft.

Instead, he urged Coast residents to carefully read the document.

In Western Province however, it appears the campaign mood is yet to kick off in earnest. Politicians use non-political functions to declare their stand on the document.

Prof Saitoti, while presiding over a funds drive at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology at the weekend, appealed to church leaders to soften their stand on the draft and allow fresh negotiations.

Saitoti said parties with opposing views should embrace dialogue to unlock any stalemate.

He said the Church should not let Kenyans down by calling for the rejection of the document at the referendum.

Sirisia MP Moses Wetang’ula accused MPs opposed to the draft of not heeding to the grievances of Kenyans.

He said colleagues campaigning for a No vote are not interested in giving wananchi what they have been yearning for over two decades.

The minister said he would join hands with those supporting the document, to beat the opposition from colleagues and ensure it passes at the referendum.

Emuhaya MP Wilbur Otichillo echoed Wetang’ula’s sentiments and said he will campaign for a Yes vote in Western Province and other parts of the country.

The two made the remarks during a funds drive in aid of Mumboha Church of God.

Dr Khalwale, while speaking during the launch of electronic voter
registration in his Ikolomani constituency, accused Cardinal John Njue of misleading faithful into rejecting the draft.

He said Njue’s stand would put in vain efforts by past Catholic leaders who have been at the forefront in fighting for a new constitution.

Khalwale said he intends to meet the Cardinal to convince him to soften his stand.

In Nyanza there were signs that grassroots leaders were yet to make up their minds on which side to back.

Councillor Tom Mboya of Kondele Ward, Kisumu, says the Proposed Constitution is better than the current one.

Budgetary allocation

Mr Mboya argues that the draft proposes changes Kenyans have been yearning for. "Though I wanted more than the 47 counties, they however, have the independence to decide on their budgetary allocation," he explains.

Mboya argues that the municipal council will retain 20 per cent of its revenue, which would be ploughed back to develop infrastructure.

Councillor George Bonyo of Milimani Ward in Migori says they have launched a Yes campaign in the town and its environs.

"The idea of electing chiefs as spelt out in the draft makes it better than the current constitution," he says.

Mr Onserio Nyankabaria, a youth leader in Nyaribari, Ikorongo location says the draft is good for the country, especially on land.

"There should be a maximum acreage to be owned by an individual," Onserio argues.

However, Councillor John Matagaro of Otende/Nyansakia Ward in Gucha South says the draft is not good for Kenyans as it puts a ceiling on the number of counties.

"We will go back to Gusii County and services will not be brought closer to the people," he explained.

Matagaro also argues that with the 47 counties, the number of Wards is going to be reduced hence people cannot easily access services.

He also argued that nobody should infringe on the rights of Kenyans on the amount of acreage they want to possess.

"Every Kenyan has a right to own any amount of land without interference from the state as is proposed in the draft," said Matagaro.

Mboya disagrees with Matagaro, saying thousands of acres of idle land should be repossessed by the State.

However, it has emerged that a number of the residents are yet to make up their minds on which side to support and are waiting for their MPs to take their stand.

"We have never seen the draft but only rely on the media to know the stand our leaders have taken," said Margaret Aming’a, a woman leader in Masaba South District.

She says that in case the local MP, Prof Sam Ongeri takes a particular side they are likely to follow him.

"When he will come and tell us what side he has taken, we shall have no objection but follow him," she said.

— Reports by Vitalis Kimutai, Patrick Beja, Allan Kisia and Winsley Masese