Govt to provide security to Yes/No camps

The government has assured Kenyans of tight security during the referendum campaign period.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi called for tolerance adding that no public funds would be used to support the ongoing campaigns for or against the proposed constitution.

Mudavadi further said that anyone attending YES and No campaign rallies will be thoroughly screened to avert any recurrence of the Uhuru park attack on a political cum prayer meeting.

He however cautioned both camps against taking their campaigns to prisons to avert any unwarranted unrests.

Mudavadi also assured the NO team that their would be no intimidation from the security agencies saying the country needs to remain united after the referendum regardless which team wins.

Speaking in Parliament, the Deputy Premier called on the No proponents to state in advance if their gatherings are crusades or political rallies to ensure appropriate security is accorded.

Mudavadi denied that the push for a new constitution is a government project noting that it was government's responsibility to ensure institutions that will facilitate the referendum are well funded and accorded security.

He allayed fears of lack of funds to conduct the referendum. He said the Interim Independent Electoral Commission was given 6.85 billion shillings to carry out voter registration adding that Shs7b had been allocated to the IIEC this financial year.

He said that negotiations between the treasury and the electoral body over referendum cash are at advanced stage.

Mau Ogiek

Meanwhile, Mudavadi has denied that the government intends to backdate land ownership rights for the Ogiek community the original settlers of the Mau forest.

The Local Government Minister pointed out the Interim Coordinating Secretariat tasked to look into issues surrounding resettlement of the Ogiek community, is intent on looking at all aspects of the law before arriving at any decision.

Naivasha MP John Mututho however questioned the criteria used in recruitment of the secretariat alleging they have been going around recruiting members of certain communities to benefit illegally from the compensation of Mau evictees.

Mudavadi however defended the recruitment exercise saying the seven members were drawn from the 60 member team of ogiek council.

At the same time re-afforestration of Likia forest is yet to kick off as the government finalizes the degazettment process.