Kibaki, Kalonzo, Raila for Yes

The proposed constitution will not make civil servants lose their jobs, President Mwai Kibaki reassured Kenyans Saturday.

The President particularly urged chiefs to continue working without fear as their jobs were secure contrary to the misrepresentation of facts by opponents of the new constitution.

President Kibaki, who was addressing the public during a 'Yes' support Forum at Embakasi, said the proposed constitution would usher in many benefits including job creation and improve efficiency, accountability and good governance.

The President, who declared his full support for the new constitution, also expressed confidence that Kenyans were ready to vote and ensure that a new constitutional dispensation was attained in the country after 25 years of search for a new constitution.

He said Kenyans wanted change now and should be given the right information on the constitution and how it would improve on the management of affairs in the country so as to make an informed decision during the August 4 referendum.

President Kibaki observed that after the long journey towards the realization of a new constitution, it was now time Kenyans concluded the exercise so as to direct their energies to other development priorities in the country.

The President, who was flanked by the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, several Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, party leaders and regional representatives, urged Kenyans to reach out to those holding contrary opinion on the new document and enlighten them on its benefits.

President Kibaki noted that a lot of falsehoods regarding the proposed new constitution were being peddled by opponents of the new law and urged Kenyans to read the document for themselves so as not to be misled on the clauses said to be controversial.

"Beware of a few people distorting contents of the proposed constitution to serve narrow interests," President Kibaki warned.

President Kibaki cited equitable distribution of resources and improved governance at the national and proposed county levels of government as some of the benefits of the new constitution.

On unity in the country, the President urged Kenyans to accommodate divergent views of others for harmonious coexistence.

President Kibaki cautioned that confrontational campaigns, inflammatory statements and other propaganda on the new constitution may instigate intolerance and should be avoided at all costs.

The President reiterated his earlier call to parents to enroll their children in school to benefit from the government free primary and subsidized secondary education.

The President said it was only through good education that Kenyans could fully participate in development activities.

On the great North Road from Lamu linking the country to Ethiopia and Southern Sudan, the Head of State reiterated the Government's commitment to infrastructural development as a priority for Kenyans to access and benefit from the expanded East African common market.

President Kibaki noted that Kenyans will immensely benefit from the regional common market which aims at accelerating economic growth and development in the member states.

On his part, Prime Minister Raila Odinga dispelled rumors peddled by those opposing the new constitution that the Government had sought treasury funding for the 'Yes' campaigns.

The Prime Minister said he declared the new constitution a Government project because the document had been passed unanimously by Parliament.

Mr. Odinga observed that the new constitution would help form a firm foundations to improve on governance and fight corruption in the country.

The Prime Minister said those championing rejection of the new constitution after it was passed by Parliament were land grabbers out to protect their ill-gotten wealth.

He reassured Kenyans that, once passed, the new constitution would safeguard the rights of both the majority and the minority in the spirit of democracy.

Cabinet Ministers who spoke during the occasion paid tribute to President Kibaki and Premier Raila for leading from the front in the search for a new constitution and assured them that they would campaign to win over those opposed to the document so that Kenyans go to the referendum as a united nation.

The 'Yes' Support Forum was attended by party leaders, regional representatives and over twenty Members of Parliament from across the country.

On his part Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka is urging Kenyans to engage in sober debate in the referendum campaigns.

Musyoka said there are a lot of progressive clauses in the new draft that will enable Kenya to have a revolutionary governing document and urged Kenyans to vote for it during the referendum.

"This draft empowers women, provides for devolution of power and resources and creates checks and balances in the governance structures thereby leaving no room for individuals to exploit through corruption,'' he said.

He said he and his PNU coalition was still consulting over the issue of joint YES campaign rallies.

"We will have occasions to have joint rallies led by the President but we will also go for several rallies in order to cover the country faster and more efficiently. There are many leaders on the NO side and therefore it is easy to split into many,'' said Musyoka.

"I urge Kenyans to avoid divisive approach that was witnessed in 2005 referendum. There is no need to brand each other names since every Kenyan has a right to say YES or NO to the proposed draft constitution,''added the VP.

He was addressing the press at the Wilson Airport on arrival from Juba, Sudan, where he represented President Kibaki during the inauguration ceremony of Southern Sudan elect President Salva Kiir.