HATE MONGERS BEWARE-KIBAKI

President Kibaki has ordered a crackdown on hate mongers in the run up to the Kenya referendum.

He directed the body charged with national cohesion and the police be firm with those engaged in violence and lawlessness during campaigns for the vote on August 4.

"I direct the National Integration and Cohesion Commission and all security agencies to take firm and decisive action against those who may engage in acts of violence, hate speech or other forms of lawlessness regardless of one’s status in society," said President Kibaki during the 47th celebrations of Madaraka Day at the Nyayo National Stadium Tuesday.

Name and shame

The President urged the media to expose politicians and other interest groups out to fan hate speech as campaigns for or against the proposed constitution intensify.

"Similarly, I call upon the media and civil society to play their role of promoting the public interest.

"In particular, I challenge media houses to play an objective watchdog role by naming and shaming those people who may engage in hate speech, lies and negative ethnic persuasion," he said.

The NCIC is mandated to, among other things, promote the elimination of all forms of discrimination on basis of ethnicity or race and investigate complaints of racial or ethnic discrimination and make recommendation to the Attorney General or other relevant authority.

President Kibaki said the country was at the "threshold of unveiling a new constitution" and told Kenyans that the proposed law would herald a new dawn.

"I wish to remind Kenyans that a new Constitution means change, in the personal lives of each one of us. The constitution will usher in a new order of social, economic and political interactions."

Describing the road to a new constitution as "long and bumpy" he urged Kenyans to familiarise themselves with the document so as to make an informed decision at the referendum.

"We have, however, covered much ground and what now remains is the referendum vote on August the 4th. As the referendum date approaches, therefore, I urge Kenyans to make an effort to read and understand the proposed law carefully," he said.