SUSPEND VOTE

A cleric has said the Kenya referendum on the proposed constitution should be suspended following the death of six people during a No campaign rally on Sunday.

African Inland Church of Kenya presiding Bishop Silas Yego said President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga should intervene and call off the vote.

“We can’t continue while six lives have been lost,” Bishop Yego said at Serena Hotel in Nairobi Tuesday.

The bishop, a close ally of former President Moi who is among top leaders opposed to the proposed constitution, said the principals “should realise that the nation is really polarised and do something quickly".

Iron out

He said the principals should postpone the campaigns until July or impress upon MPs to amend the Review Act to allow for the rescheduling of the August 4 referendum.

“They (MPs) can do it. If MPs sit in Parliament they can review the Act and postpone the referendum,” the AIC leader said.

He said the referendum could be later held after ironing out the contentious issues, which he said are known saying they are less than 10.

“The re-scheduling can give us time to correct the clauses that have caused divisions among Kenyans as right now they are know as they have floated themselves up,” Bishop Yego said.

He said it is easy to correct the contentious clauses for Kenyans to go to the referendum “any time” as united.

A grenade attack during prayers organised by top evangelists in the country at Uhuru Park on Sunday after a No rally left six people dead and 104 injured.

Behind attacks

The No group led by Higher Education Minister William Ruto and other religious leaders accused their Yes rivals of being behind the attacks.

The Yes group has, however, denied any involvement.

The government has since enlisted the military to help unravel those behind the crime.

And in a statement from Pretoria, South Africa where he is attending the World Cup, Sports and Youth Affairs assistant minister Kabando wa Kabando said it is wrong to politicise the deaths and injuries that occurred at Uhuru Park.

“It is most foul, unholy, sadistic and absurd,” he said.

The Mukurweini MP said heinous criminal acts should not become platforms for opportunistic politics.

“We are reforming Kenya to curtail politics of hate and violence. We know the new katiba (proposed constitution) is a real threat to the politics of violence, corruption and impunity,” he said.

He said that the fact that explosions could occur in a publicised forum was an indictment of law and order institutions and depicts incapacities.

Both Bishop Yego and Mr Kabando sent a message of condolence to the bereaved families and termed the killings as unfortunate.

They further wished those injured quick recovery.

Bishop Yego urged Kenyans to maintain peace that the country has enjoyed for years and avoid shun violence.