YES STRATEGIES

The ‘Yes’ campaign team has hired experts to help it win over supporters for the proposed constitution at the referendum.

The think tank comprises university lecturers known to support either the Party of National Unity (PNU) or the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

This was one of three strategies announced on Monday by Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The others are a joint secretariat and national coordinating committee with representation from both parties.

Mr Odinga, who had chaired a meeting of parties that support the proposed law, said launching the secretariat showed the government was determined to give Kenyans a new constitution.

“We have agreed to formalise the structures of the ‘Yes’ campaign that will run from the national level to the grassroots,” he said.

At the Treasury office meeting were Prof Peter Wanyande of the University of Nairobi, Prof Peter Kagwanja, the president of the South Africa-based Africa Policy Institute, Mr Mutakha Kangu of Moi University and Prof Kivutha Kibwana of the Office of the President.

Sources said more dons would be brought on board as the ‘Yes’ camp rolls out structures for the referendum campaign set to begin after June 6.

Prof Kagwanja, for PNU, and ODM’s Janet Ongera will lead the joint secretariat.

Technical team

The ‘Yes’ team, which is led by President Kibaki and Mr Odinga, is taking on the ‘No’ team led by Higher Education minister William Ruto and church leaders.

While the churches have a technical team setting up their structures, the political wing of the ‘No’ campaign said it was busy setting up a secretariat at the offices they have acquired in Upper Hill.

Belgut MP Charles Keter said they hoped the secretariat would be complete by the end of this week.

The ‘Yes’ campaign’s national coordinating committee will be led by Cabinet ministers Kiraitu Murungi (PNU) and Anyang’ Nyong’o (ODM).

Some civil servants, the PM said, would be roped into the campaigns. Mr Odinga told off those who have questioned the use of State resources, arguing the new set of law was part of Agenda Four as stipulated in the National Accord.

He said they would hold both joint and separate rallies, all coordinated by the secretariat temporarily located at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre.

Mr Odinga also dismissed claims of a split in the ‘Yes’ camp after Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka was heckled during the launch of the campaign at the weekend.

He described the incident as unfortunate, regrettable and not planned, as claimed by Mr Musyoka, who is in Iran.