COE VS THE CHURCH

The war of words over the proposed constitution on Sunday moved to the airwaves with the Committee of Experts accusing the Catholic Church of infringing on its corporate identity.

CoE is against the church's advert being aired on television urging Kenyans to vote No saying it is a misrepresentation of facts and amounts to underhand means of luring Kenyans to their side.

CoE is particularly irked by the church's tough stance on abortion through an advert being splashed on television during prime time saying it was meant to hoodwink viewers.

Through a newspaper advert, CoE says other than infringing on its corporate identity, the move is prejudicial, illegal and unethical coming from a reputable religious organization.

It says the advert is misleading and not based on facts and is urging media houses to exercise caution when airing advertisements, which might violate the rights of other Kenyans.

But the church through Father Moses Kago of the Holy Family Basilica says there is nothing wrong with the advert.

Father Kago questions the impartiality of COE in conducting civic education and wonders why it has been carrying adverts urging Kenyans to support the proposed constitution.

He says the church's position was clear and denied claims that the advert is based on misrepresentation.

The Catholic Church in the country has opposed the proposed constitution citing the clause on the Bill of Rights which they say permits abortion.