YES IN WESTERN

NARC Kenya leader Martha Karua has launched her ‘Yes' Campaign in Western Kenya with a warning to churches to tread carefully lest they will plunge the country into turmoil.

The former Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister also took advantage of the campaign for the draft constitution to launch massive campaigns for her Narc Kenya party and dismissing other parties as tribal outfits which cannot march the flower party in the 2012 general elections.

The Gichugu Member of Parliament told a yes campaign rally at Aboloi Primary School in Angurai Division that calls for the removal of kadhis courts by some church leaders might spark off religious conflicts in the country and warned Christians to leave Muslims alone.

Ms Karua said when the country attained independence in 1963 it was agreed that the country be multi-religious state and wondered why Christians were trying to revive religious discrimination in the country.

She said separation and discrimination sparked off the 2007 post election violence, adding that Rwandan genocide of 1994 started because of such discrimination.

Accompanied by party officials who included the Executive Director, Taabu Daniels, National Youth leader, Sande Oyolo, National Deputy Women leader, Selina Sego and NEC Member, Muthoni Kihara, Ms Karua also told Kibaki and Raila to end the culture of hereditary leadership in the country.

The MP also dismissed claims by church leaders that the government had legalized abortion saying such allegations were unwarranted, adding that the life of a mother will override that of an unborn child should there be need to end the life of one to save the other.

Meanwhile, four legislators have said the draft constitution risks rejection by small-scale landowners because the minimum ownership is not provided and the land issue is excluded from the bill of rights.

Led by Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto, the legislators pointed out that the draft constitution was advocating for consolidation of land in economically viable zones, thus putting those who own small parcels at risk of losing their land.

"We are not opposed to consolidation of land but it is a worry that the land issue is excluded from the bill of rights which means many could be forced to surrender their small parcels of land," said Ruto.

Speaking at Kyanika village in Mutito constituency, the legislators who included area MP Kiema Kilonzo, Charles Keter and Mithika Linturi dismissed claims that those opposed to the draft had disregarded the campaign timetable announced by the Attorney General, pointing out that the pro-draft leaders started campaigning even earlier.

The Mps also took issue with the clause on abortion saying that the committee of experts had liberalised the issue of sanctity of life by opening doors for abortion.

This comes after the church on Saturday officially launched its NO assault against the proposed draft constitution with calls on Kenyans to reject the draft on grounds that it's discriminatory against Christianity and legitimizes abortion.

The campaign cum prayer meeting dubbed "Let's blow the whistle on the proposed draft" also saw a section of politicians allied to the No camp led by Minister for Higher Education William Ruto attend the fete.