NGILU DEFENDS KALONZO

Water Minister Charity Ngilu has defended Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka over his perceived opposition to the Proposed Constitution.

Mrs Ngilu said those saying the VP is a ‘No’ supporter are lying and should be ignored.

"Kalonzo is firmly in ‘Yes’ and anybody saying the contrary is lying. He is firmly in the ‘Yes’ camp," she said.

Ngilu was reacting to Higher Education Minister William Ruto’s claim in Machakos at the weekend that Kalonzo is a ‘No’ mole in the ‘Yes’ camp. "You have been asking us to speak with one voice, the time to do so is now," she said.

The minister was addressing a ‘Yes’ rally in Emali, Makueni constituency.

Former MPs Francis Nyenze, Peter Maundu, Kalembe Ndile, Jackson Mwalulu and Daudi Mwanzia accompanied Ngilu.

The Kitui Central MP called on the clergy to soften their hard-line stance and back the draft.

She said those campaigning against the document do not want Kenya to progress to the next level.

"The agenda of the ‘No’ proponents is highly suspect. Nobody should listen to them or take the seriously," added the Water minister.

Voter education

Meanwhile, trade unionists, politicians and clerics in the North Rift have called for impartial civic educators ahead of the referendum.

The leaders also said the Committee of Experts (CoE) should be impartial, adding that their role was only to draft the constitution and not campaign for it.

The clerics said they do not trust constituency civic educators hired by the CoE, claiming they will be biased. Rev Maritim Rirei said people at the grassroots do not trust CoE since they may not be fair in civic education.

He called for the involvement of non-partisan NGOs, CBOs and the civil society. He said civic education should not favour any side to avoid polarising the country, like in the run up to the 2007 General Election.

Wareng County Council Chairman Paul Kiprop said: "CoE has made a stand and we fear their civic education will be inclined towards the ‘Yes’ side."

Rift Valley Knut Executive Council member Josephat Serem said the document is supreme and voters should be allowed to make independent choices.

"Some NGOs should not use the civic education to advocate for either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’," said Mr Serem.