YES

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 15 - President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga led a Yes campaign rally on Saturday, where they declared the Constitution-making process unstoppable.

The two leaders urged those opposed to the proposed Constitution to re-evaluate their stand and join the Yes camp, because Kenyans were yearning for a new Constitution.

“Even those opposed to this proposed Constitution are still our brothers. They are not enemies,” President Kibaki said.

“That is why I want you to go and continue rallying support for this document. Let us continue talking to those who are not with us, because when we all get together, we will succeed,” he added.

“The new Constitution has not been enacted and I therefore urge you to reach out and educate those who are opposed until it goes through during the forthcoming referendum,” Mr Kibaki said.

The Prime Minister on his part said the proposed Constitution was very crucial, particularly for the future generation because it sought to change the lives of Kenyans and the way they are governed.

“It will help in ridding the country of poverty and the poor leadership,” Mr Odinga said amid cheers from the crowd of supporters.

“This is not a campaign, we are yet to start campaigning for the new Constitution, this is just an exercise of civic education,” he added.

Mr Odinga told the supporters there were many rallies lined up for “all parts of the country” which they will traverse with President Kibaki to rally support for the proposed Constitution.

While urging Kenyans to support the proposed Constitution, Mr Odinga said the constitutional-making process had been long and tedious, “hence the need to pass it now”.

“We have come a long way. We have leaders who have paid a price for the constitution we are supporting today… there is no reason why we should not pass it now to give Kenyans change,” Mr Odinga said.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka told the supporters he was firmly in the Yes camp, but was repeatedly booed throughout his speech.

“Those who know Kalonzo knows that when he says Yes it is Yes, and when he says No it is No. You all know my stand because I am supporting this proposed Constitution,” he said.

The rally was attended by 25 Cabinet ministers and assistant ministers and over 65 lawmakers from all parts of the country.

Others who spoke at the meeting included Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi, representatives of various political parties and Cabinet ministers representing the eight provinces.