CHURCH UNDER ATTACK

The Kenyan church has come under attack over its involvement in the campaigns for the referendum on the proposed new constitution.

The national multi-sectoral Yes campaign group under the umbrella of the Center for Multi-party Democracy (CMD) says that by taking sides in the campaigns, the clergy had abandoned its spiritual leadership.

According to CMD, the clergy may not be trusted in future to play a significant role in molding together a nation that is still torn along tribal lines.

The group led by CMD chairman Larry Gumbe said the path that the clergy has taken in opposing the draft may cause ethnic and regional divisions.

"This if left unattended will result into disaster similar to what happened in the country during the 2005 referendum," he said.

Gumbe said the committee was raising the concerns after a section of the church was seen to be involved in propagating falsehoods, hate speech, innuendo and propaganda as "other leaders even threatened their flock of dire personal consequences."

"Teachers in faith-sponsored institutions have also lost their jobs for holding views contrary to those of their employers," he added.

The committee says it will request for meetings with the church leaders through their faith outreach council to deliberate the issue.

The church has registered its opposition to the proposed constitution over what it calls contentious issues notably the Kadhis' courts and the bill of rights which they say allows for abortion.