MINISTERS FORCED TO SAY NO

Higher Education Minister William Ruto says several of his Cabinet colleagues don’t support the Proposed Constitution.

He said they could not reject the draft publicly for fear of losing their jobs.

Mr Ruto also admitted the country’s quest for a new constitution is unstoppable, but asked Kenyans to vote ‘No’ in the upcoming referendum then vote ‘Yes’ in November after amendments.

"I am certain Kenyans will have a new constitution this year. We all know those saying ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ agree that there are issues in the document that need ironing out," he said.

He refuted claims it was too late to amend the document. "We can say ‘No’ in August then after amendments say ‘Yes’ in November," he said.

Getting on board

He added: "We were told the constitution plane is on the runway. We want to help stop it for all Kenyans to be on board."

Without giving names, the minister said some of his Cabinet colleagues had been forced to support the proposed law for fear of losing their jobs. Speaking in Machakos, Ruto had said Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and many others were in the ‘No’ camp. But Kalonzo later refuted the claim and declared ODM-Kenya members support the Proposed Constitution.

"Several of them are saying ‘Yes’ because they don’t want to lose their jobs," Ruto said. The minister spoke at a fundraiser in Ongata Rongai for construction of the Adventist University of Africa, on Sunday.

The Seventh Day Adventist Church has taken a low profile and advised its flock to vote according to their conscience during the referendum.

Ruto asked the Church not to waver and fight the introduction of un-Godly things in the constitution, especially on abortion.

"As we move towards the reality of a new constitutional dispensation, let us be careful not to spill the blood of the unborn," he said.

Elsewhere, MPs Cyrus Jirongo and Isaac Ruto have asked Kenyans to vote ‘No’, saying the Proposed Constitution is illegal. Speaking in Lugari at the weekend, the leaders challenged Kenyans to examine contentious issues in the proposed law before deciding on which way to vote.

"Kenyans should reject the document because proper procedures were not followed in crafting it," said Jirongo.

The two also urged residents to ask civic educators to shed more light on areas deemed contentious.

"That is when you will understand why we are opposed to the proposed law," said Jirongo.

The two spoke at Mautuma Secondary School during a funds drive in aid of the institution.