DECEPTION

Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Sunday accused those opposed to a new constitution of distorting facts to win support.
Mr Odinga said isolating certain clauses without highlighting the benefits of the new law was retrogressive. He said the chapters on abortion and kadhi’s courts had been taken out of context.

“This is the best constitution that will, for the first time, allow Kenyans full participation in the way they are governed and how resources are allocated,” said Mr Odinga. The Prime Minister was speaking at Lands minister James Orengo’s home in Ugenya constituency where he had been invited for lunch.

He recalled how he intervened in the chaotic ODM nomination in the constituency and ordered the election board to give the certificate to Mr Orengo. The nomination was marred by violence between supporters of Mr Orengo and rival Steve Mwanga.

Mr Odinga said he did not regret the decision as Mr Orengo had “exhibited more brains than brawn in tackling issues”. Mr Odinga said with a proper governance structure in place, people would not have to fight for their own to occupy State House hoping to benefit from development projects and government jobs.

Poor people

“Jomo Kenyatta was in power for 15 years, President Moi ruled for 24 years but there are still poor people in their backyards. “There was no formula for allocation of resources. Everything depended on the President’s orders,” he said.

The Prime Minister said said of the 263 clauses, only four were contentious and giving the constitution the thumbs up would not put a lid on proposals for amendments sought by the No camp.