NO'S RED CARD

Church leaders on Saturday launched the campaign against the proposed constitution exuding confidence that they will garner sufficient support to defeat it at the referendum in August.

The church leaders, who held a rally at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park dubbed National Prayer Day, were joined by Higher Education minister William Ruto, assistant ministers Lina Jebii Kilimo and Margaret Wanjiru and 14 MPs opposed to the proposed law.

Flashing “red cards” amid chants of “No” and sounds of the whistle, they put to use football symbolism to deliver their point to thousands who turned up for the event.

Under the banner Kenya Christian Church Leaders, they declared a week of prayer and fasting, a practice of self-denial to seek God’s favour, and asked their members to hold similar “prayer meetings” across the country.

The launch took place in spite of a warning by Attorney General Amos Wako that the campaigns should only start after the 30-day period set for civic education under the constitution review law.

Mr Ruto said the No team was headed for victory. “We shall stand on the side of people who want a fair and just constitution for our motherland and I am confident God will give us victory,” he said.

The speakers also asked church leaders across the country to conduct door-to-door campaigns against the proposed constitution. The function was skipped by leaders of mainstream churches – the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church of Kenya.

Keynote message

National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) general secretary Peter Karanja who read the keynote message from the church leaders said the clergy would use “our machinery and structures” to mobilise their followers to reject the draft.

The leaders gave 10 reasons why the country should vote No, including the argument that the proposed constitution allows application of international agreements without approval by Parliament.

They also claimed that the law allows the state to interfere with religion and that the state was favouring Islam at the expense of other religious groups.

The clergy also alleged that the proposed constitution takes away the right to preach, and to convert from one religion to another, and hat it allows religious institutions to be infiltrated by non-believers.

Christian groups are opposed to Article 24 (4) in the Bill of Rights, which they say, entrenches kadhis’ courts in the constitution. The groups are also unhappy that the Chapter on the Bill of Rights is difficult to amend.

“In the current phase of reviewing the constitution, church leaders have continuously outlined concerns that would be a basis for Christians to say ‘No’ to the draft,” Rev Karanja said on Saturday.

He said the church had been at the forefront spearheading reforms in the country since the early 1980’s and it was therefore only proper to listen to them.
“The church spoke strongly against the rigging of the 1983 and 1988 general elections and was the strongest voice when the ruling party in 1986 adopted the insidious mlolongo (queue) voting system,” said the NCCK boss.

The church, he stated, also provided refuge to the current leaders who support the proposed constitution.

Without bitterness, the church will soldier on to entrench a constitution that ensures justice and fairness for all, he said.

“If Christians are convinced that there are provisions in the proposed constitution that undermine their practice of religion, they will stand to be counted for God,” said Rev Karanja.

He called on the Committee of Experts on the constitution review (CoE) and the government to ensure that copies of the draft reach all Kenyans at the right time to enable them read and make informed choices.

The church leaders also offered to help distribute copies of the draft law. The group had earlier held a procession along Kenyatta Avenue to the park. They accused CoE and MPs of ignoring their views.

“At this time in our history, we have a chance to define and build our nation. We have a choice today, a choice whether we build a nation together in unity, or divided and in conflict,” said Rev Karanja.

Although it was dubbed National Prayer Day, it was marked by heavy political campaigning and the launch of slogans for the ‘No’ team.
T-shirts, pamphlets, head straps and big banners bore screaming messages against the proposed constitution.

The presence of Mr Ruto and his other MPs in his camp of No proponents only underlined the mood at Uhuru Park — the campaign had begun.

The celebrations were momentarily interrupted by University of Nairobi students who arrived in full No regalia of red T-shirts and placards with anti-new constitution messages.

Mr Ruto who spoke on behalf of the MPs said the reason for opposing the draft law was to return the country on the path of justice and fairness, the two themes that dominated the proceedings on Saturday.

“When rulers and kings disregard the leaders of the church and speak against the unborn, it is a sign of a country that desperately needs divine intervention,” the minister said.

He said voters had an opportunity to stand up to ensure the country does not end up with a faulty constitution.