ONGERA AND KAGWANJA HIT BACK

Coordinators of the 'Yes’ team on the proposed Constitution have defended the government for funding its campaigns.

The secretariat’s heads Janet Ongera and Prof Peter Kagwanja, however, said Thursday that the money was raised from different sources.

The two said political parties associated with the secretariat were also contributing the campaign money. Donors, they added, had also been approached to help boost the kitty.

“A successful campaign of this magnitude cannot be funded by the government only and therefore we must seek more funds from outside government,” said Prof Kagwanja.

Ms Ongera added that both PNU and ODM, which are the main political players in the 'Yes’ campaign, have already made their contribution.

She also said that the government has a responsibility to ensure that issues falling under Agenda 4 of the National Accord including the Constitution are concluded successfully.

“I do not see any issue in this being a government project since it was initiated as one of the reforms that the coalition was to institute and therefore it must succeed,” said Ms Ongera.

The 'Yes’ team takes its campaign to Kayole in Embakasi constituency, Nairobi on Saturday where President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka are expected.

Heckled

According to former Starehe MP Maina Kamanda and Embakasi MP Ferdinard Waititu, they have put in plans to ensure that people are not heckled at the rally as befell the VP at Uhuru Park last week.

“That was very unfortunate and this time we are telling people that those who come for the rally are 'Yes' people. Even those in 'No', who want to announce they have changed their mind can come to the rally,” said Mr Kamanda.

According to Mr Kagwanja, the secretariat will Friday unveil its programme of activities in Nairobi.

He said that they were carrying out a “systematic and determined campaign to ensure that the constitution passes at the referendum”.

The launch will be conducted by the coordinators of the 'Yes’ campaign, Medical Services minister Anyang Nyong'o and his Energy counterpart Kiraitu Murungi.

Meanwhile, the government has been criticised for using public funds for the 'Yes’ campaign.

Narc-Kenya chairperson Ms Martha Karua said that it is illegal for the government to use taxpayers money to fund one side of the campaigns yet all Kenyans pay tax.

The money, she maintained, should instead be used to help the IDPs and relocate those displaced by floods.

She urged the government to release funding to the Committee of Experts (CoE) so that they can embark on civic education around the country.
The Narc K chairperson emphasised that only the CoE have the mandate to use the government funds to conduct impartial civic education so that Kenyans can make an informed decision during the August 4 referendum.

Taxpayers money

“The government should be impartial on this and should not use taxpayers money to support their personal opinion,” she said.

The law, she added, does not allow setting aside money to fund campaigns.

“The government should work within the law.”

The party secretary general Mr Danson Mungatana pointed out that the party supports the constitution but maintained that each side should use their own funding separate from the government coffers.

He accused the government of using the referendum as an excuse to misuse tax payers’ money.

“These issues can not be raised if the government is funded from other sources. There are no provisions in law allowing the government to use public resources,” he maintained.

Mr Mungatana asked the government to desist from terming the proposed Constitution as a government project, saying that it is 'people project’.