KALONZO HECKLED

The politics of the Kibaki Succession played out at a rally called by the government on Saturday to drum up support for the proposed new constitution.

The political top brass led by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga walked into Uhuru Park to a rousing welcome.

It was a cast reminiscent of the Narc rallies that preceded the 2002 General Election as each leader asked Kenyans to vote for the proposed laws.

All leaders at Uhuru Park meeting spoke in support of the proposed constitution but Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka was forced to cut short his speech as sections of the crowd shouted him down.

This was despite repeated pleas for calm and respect by Westlands MP and minister Fred Gumo, the master of ceremonies.

In contrast, the crowds urged on Prime Minister Raila Odinga when he took to the rostrum.

The crowd’s reaction to the VP at Saturday’s launch now threatens a series of 20 joint rallies that the two sides of the coalition had planned to drum up support for the Yes vote.

“There are people in PNU who are very furious and it is all but decided now that we will just hold parallel Yes rallies,” said a minister who did not wish to be quoted before the matter is fully decided.

The Sunday Nation learnt that Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka held a teleconference on Friday at about 4 p.m. to discuss the rally and it was agreed that it would be used for national healing.

It was also agreed that the meeting would not be used as a platform to attack those opposed to the draft.

Another meeting was held by ministers Kiraitu Murungi, Fred Gumo, Anyang’ Nyong’o and former Starehe MP Maina Kamanda to lay out the final plans for the rally.

It agreed on Friday that the top brass would meet at Serena Hotel and walk together into the park as a show of unity for the Yes camp.

“We convened the Uhuru Park meeting in order to launch a constitutional referendum, civic education that should see the country realise a new constitution by August. The meeting was intended to be peaceful and joyous,” said the VP through his aide Kaplich Barsito.

He added: “It was interrupted by groups placed strategically to shout down certain leaders even though we are all in the Yes side. Retrogressive elements still exist despite our collective efforts to restore political order,”

“Such acts of intolerance might serve to drive some people away from Yes to the No camp,” said Mr Musyoka.

When he rose to speak, President Kibaki asked supporters of the proposed constitution to persuade more people to support the document ahead of the August 4 referendum.

Appearing cautious, the President urged those who support it to brace for the long haul — referring to the three months between now and the referendum date.

He urged them to continue campaigning for the document, adding that Kenyans must get a new constitution this time round.

“When we leave here (Uhuru Park) let us not think that the Constitution has passed. We still have to convince each one of us that this Constitution is good and we all vote for it,” the President said.

In a show of unity and political might, the two principals marshalled their lieutenants to strongly root for the proposed constitution.

The two principals told the huge crowd that the proposed laws would address the problems facing the country and unite the people.

President Kibaki said there was still time to persuade those in the ‘No’ camp to change their position before the referendum.

He did not dwell much on the substance of the proposed law and instead focused his short address on the need to get more support for the document.

“This document we believe is okay and those who want changes can propose them later once we are done passing it. And we all agree that we want this constitution,” President Kibaki said.

Mr Odinga dwelt on the clauses that were said to be contentious arguing that those propelling the issues were not being honest.

He told Christians not to oppose the kadhis’ courts since they deal with matters of marriage divorce and inheritance between Muslims.

He also said that the country would have more to gain with the proposed devolution structure.

The premier recounted the history of constitution-making in the country and said this is the closest Kenyans have ever come to getting a new constitution.

“This constitution will help us fight poverty, ignorance, disease and dictatorship. If it is not now then it is right now,” Mr Odinga said.

A cross-section of leaders addressed the gathering calling on Kenyans to back the proposed law and avoid detractors who they accused of misleading the public.

Those who spoke included Mr Musyoka, Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi; Ministers Charity Ngilu, Sally Kosgei, Henry Kosgey, Chris Obure, Kiraitu Murungi, Mohammed Elmi, Amason Kingi, Moses Wentang’ula, Esther Murugi, George Saitoti and William ole Ntimama.

Others were MPs Mwangi Kiunjuri, Asman Kamama, Johnstone Muthama, Fred Gumo, Mohammed Abdikadir, Musikari Kombo and Farah Maalim. Former MP Maina Kamanda, Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli and Youth Agenda national coordinator Hussein Mohammed.

Mrs Ngilu and Mr Atwoli took issue with Cabinet ministers who were opposed to the proposed law and urged the two principals to take action.

Ministers William Ruto, Naomi Shabaan and Samuel Phoghisio have declared that they are opposed to the draft. The group addressed a No rally in Machakos town on Saturday.

The statements by Ms Ngilu and Mr Atwoli were followed with chants of ‘Ruto must go’ from the crowd who also repeated the same statement when the President Kibaki stood to speak.

Ms Ngilu, who is the Water and Irrigation minister, went ahead to accuse the ‘No’ camp of introducing the controversial alterations to the proposed constitution.

“I urge you Mr President and Mr Prime Minister to take off your gloves because this will be a bare knuckle fight and so do not hesitate to take action,” Ms Ngilu said.

A revelation that someone altered some copies of the proposed constitution inserting the words ‘national security’ in Article 24(1d) has created a major controversy in the review process. It has led to an investigation whose findings are expected on Wednesday.

But it was the perceived indecisiveness of the VP that came to haunt him when he stood to address the crowd.

The hostile crowd shouted down the VP asking him to clearly declare that he supports the document.

Mr Musyoka was shouted down even as he said he is firmly in the ‘Yes’ camp.

Mr Kenyatta said Kenyans had waited for a new constitution for years and that time for change is now.

Mr Mudavadi hailed former Anglican church Archbishop David Gitari for supporting the Proposed Constitution despite opposition from other church leaders.