‘Yes’ by day ‘No’ by night

One week after President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga launched the ‘Yes’ campaign at a high profile rally in Nairobi’s Uhuru Park, some of their key foot soldiers have embarked on an undercover campaign for the rival ‘No’ team. The Standard on Sunday has reliably established that some politicians, who have publicly endorsed the document, are involved in a flurry of indiscreet night meetings. Like chameleons, they change colours at will. It is a tale of leaders who are green by day and red by night.

"I am not surprised night meetings are taking place. It is alright for any individual to openly declare their stand; we shall respect that. But it is cruel for leaders to play games like singing ‘Yes’ with us in daytime, and saying ‘No’ at night," says an enraged Central Province Parliamentary Group Chairman, Mr Ephraim Maina.

And on Saturday, the absence of PNU-allied ministers at a ‘Yes’ rally addressed by Kibaki and Raila in Nairobi’s Embakasi Constituency raised more curiosity.

Last week, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, while addressing a press conference in reaction to the heckling that he was subjected to during the ‘Yes’ launch at Uhuru Park, said PNU was considering going it alone in its campaigns for the Proposed Constitution.

Kalonzo — who had travelled to Juba for the inauguration of Southern Sudan President Salva Kiir — jetted back on Saturday evening, even as Health Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o gave apologies from his Energy counterpart, Kiraitu Murungi.

The hushed rebellion, especially from Central Kenya, has reportedly attracted the ire of President Kibaki.

Last Tuesday while meeting party leaders at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, the President lashed out at leaders from his PNU camp for not playing ball.

"I understand some of you are opposing the Draft because you think someone has gotten cleverer. What is wrong with being clever? You should try to better your efforts," he mentioned in apparent reference to the sulking by some PNU MPs who felt that the PM was making political mileage from campaigning for the Proposed Constitution.

Reports about clandestine night meetings featuring political allies of President Kibaki, Kalonzo and Deputy Prime Minister Mr Uhuru Kenyatta with leaders of the ‘No’ campaign, ostensibly to "slow down the PM", raises questions as to whether those plotting to scuttle the review process are acting independently.

Sources say several meetings between the two groups have been held in the city, and have been attended by two PNU MPs, a former high-flying parastatal chief, two former ministers in the Kibaki administration and a senior religious leader associated with the revived Gikuyu Embu and Meru Cultural Association (Gema).

The Standard On Sunday learnt that another secret meeting was held last Thursday night at an exclusive Nairobi hotel where a section of MPs from Central Kenya promised to defeat the draft at the referendum.

Konoin MP Julius Kones confirmed that they met with some of their ‘Yes’ counterparts but refused to divulge more details.

Reacting separately, a PNU insider and a former minister singled out Uhuru for allegedly frustrating the ‘Yes’ campaign by perceived reluctance to go all the way by personally investing resources and time in the campaigns.

"He is no ordinary Government official. When Uhuru dithers on his support for the Proposed Constitution, then sits on civic education funds (as Finance minister) and fails to address a single organised ‘Yes’ rally outside Nairobi so far, then you cannot be in doubt about what is simmering," opined the politician.

In political body language, observes the politician, Uhuru’s actions amount to a quiet revolt akin to peaceful protest through civil disobedience.

"It is significant to note that Uhuru did not second a senior Kanu member or official to the joint ‘Yes’ Secretariat," he observes.

That the ‘Yes’ camp could be harbouring moles, spies and sympathizers of the ‘No’ camp, is an open secret. Higher Education minister William Ruto, who is spearheading the anti-constitution campaigns, offered the initial hint last weekend.

Speaking last Sunday at a church in Kajiado, the minister claimed that most ministers were secretly supporting the ‘No’ campaign but were afraid to come out in the open, for fear of being fired.

In an interview with The Standard On Sunday, Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo revealed a good number of MPs in the ‘Yes’ camp were silently campaigning for ‘No’ and that they have been giving moral support to his team.

"I can say here and now that a good number of MPs in the ‘Yes’ camp are with us. They campaign for ‘Yes’ during the day but at the fall of darkness they join us in the ‘No’ camp. We talk to them on daily basis," said Kiema.

Kalonzo and Uhuru have had to fend off accusations that they were sitting on the fence by sending out a strong message that they support the Proposed Constitution.

Several of the Vice-President’s lieutenants and ODM-Kenya MPs led by party Chairman, Samuel Poghisio are fronting the ‘No’ campaign.

Conceding the existence of moles within the ‘Yes camp, Maina demanded that the "Greens" should weed out the ‘Red’ moles.

Apart from Kibaki, Planning Assistant Minister Peter Kenneth has been vocal in the support of the proposed constitution. From Central, the Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua has been on the campaign trail for the document.

Former Subukia MP Koigi wa Wamwere said some political leaders from the President’s backyard were not enthusiastic after finding themselves on one side with Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whom they consider their political nemesis.

Some people, observes Wamwere, believe if the new constitution is adopted, Raila will run away with the credit for spearheading the campaigns.

"They also have a feeling if the document is defeated at the referendum, Raila will definitely suffer the backlash and eventually dim his star ahead of 2012," Wamwere told The Standard On Sunday.

"I am aware some are caught between a rock and a hard place because of certain provisions. Some may want to protect their illegal wealth or large tracts of land," he said.

Former political detainee Wanyiri Kihoro observes that by Raila throwing his weight behind the proposed constitution, many politicians who were strategising for 2012 had been thrown off balance.

"There are leaders who expected the PM to oppose the document but with his stand, their plans have been thrown into disarray," said Kihoro, a former Nyeri Town MP.

Former Cabinet minister Maina Kamanda says: "Some people are uncomfortable with the campaign because they think so far it has benefited the PM more than anyone else. But it is also true that the PM consults more and gets involved in what is going than the others. Instead of sulking and demanding separate campaigns, they should get involved".

But Mwea MP Peter Gitau gives an insight into the dilemma most MPs in Central Kenya find themselves in.

The MP said since most of their followers are Christians, some of the issues being raised by the church needed consideration.

"The referendum need not to be acrimonious and should not be allowed to divide the country like in 2005. We need to carry out campaigns with decorum, that is why some of us are taking a back seat," said Gitau.

—Reports by Francis Ngige, Gakuu Mathenge and Stephen Makabila