KALONZO ROOTS FOR 'YES'

MWINGI, Kenya, Jun 6 - Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has appealed to Kenyans to vote for the proposed Constitution in the forthcoming referendum, saying the document would cater for the interest of all Kenyans.

Mr Musyoka maintained that the few contentious clauses in the proposed law will be revisited to the satisfaction of everyone after the passing of the new law at the referendum.

“We are going to agree through dialogue on how to amend the few contentious areas of the new law including those touching on abortion and Khadhis’ courts but let us pass this Constitution first and we do the needful later,” Mr Musyoka said.

The Vice President was speaking at the Christ the King Catholic Church, Kamuongo Parish in his Mwingi North Constituency where he joined other worshipers for a special Sunday Harvest Mass.

The mass was celebrated by Fr Japheth Nyaga who is the parish priest.

Mr Musyoka urged Kenyans of all faith to continue praying for the country during this crucial moment of Constitution making process.

He asked politicians to refrain from engaging in hate speeches that could divide Kenyans and threaten the existing peace and harmony.

“Let us work together towards the realization of a new constitutional dispensation for the country, Kenyans have the capacity to engage in dialogue and reach consensus in this matters,” VP said.

During a stopover at St. Francis Kamuongo Catholic Primary School sponsored by Kamuongo Parish, the Vice President thanked various missionaries to the country for their work of supplementing government services.

Mr Musyoka particularly lauded the Catholic missionaries for sponsoring various health and education institutions that have continued to serve Kenyans well.

Addressing a fundraiser gathering towards the completion of Global Vision Centre in Mwingi Town, the Vice President dismissed claims that the provincial administration would be scrapped when the new Constitution comes to effect.

Mr Musyoka said the provincial administration would only be restructured to go along with devolved system of government.

He allayed fears that Presidential system was a recipe for a dictatorial presidency, saying powers of the President would always regulated by other devolved institution like Parliament and Senate.

The Vice President urged Kenyans to view the proposed Constitution positively as the document takes care of the interests of every Kenyans and assures of gender equity by provision of special seats for women.

On aflatoxin contamination, Mr Musyoka said that the government will continue buying contaminated maize and assured farmers that there is ongoing consultation between the government and other stakeholders to consider revising the current maize prices as well as putting up additional storage facilities.

The Vice President urged farmers to take advantage of the current favourable weather condition to grow crops particularly traditional food crops that withstand harsh climatic situations and easy to store.