Draft law: Kenyan clergy calls for prayers

ACK Archbishop Eliud Wabukhala called for divine intervention saying it was important that Kenyans remain united even after the outcome of the referendum.

He was speaking on Sunday at a funds drive at the All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi where Prime Minister Raila Odinga was the chief guest.

The Arch bishop said that beginning Thursday (July 1) the Anglicans will set aside time in every service to pray for the country and the forthcoming referendum.

The Prime Minister and his wife Ida urged the congregation to endorse the draft constitution.

He spoke on contentious clauses on abortion and Kadhi courts which the church is opposing saying kadhi courts did not affect them.

"The current law says, 'life begins at birth', that's why we issue birth certificates. The proposed Constitution says 'life begins at conception. We are the only country in the world to have that clause," he said.

The Premier expressed optimism for a new constitutional dispensation on the basis that Kenyans were now reading the proposed law objectively.

Anglican bishops have been divided on whether to back or reject the Proposed Constitution at the referendum.

Last week the Catholic Church also called for a day of prayer as voters consider their stance on a referendum on the country's draft constitution.

In a letter read at Masses throughout Kenya, Cardinal John Njue of Nairobi, chairman of the Kenya Episcopal Conference, asked that prayers be offered to seek God's guidance during a particularly trying time in the country's history.

"As a country we are praying for a peaceful referendum and campaign to continue without dividing Kenyans on tribal lines," Cardinal Njue said.

Church leaders have opposed the draft constitution, which includes clauses they believe could lead to the legalization of abortion and the entrenchment of Islamic courts.