'No' camp a disservice to Kenyans

By GEORGE MUNENE
Posted Tuesday, July 27 2010 at 15:21

President Kibaki took the Yes campaign to Kirinyaga South district Tuesday where he said the constitution-making process has been a long process and its opponents were doing a disservice to the country.

While drumming up support for the proposed constitution, President Kibaki criticised the No campaigners saying they had lost direction.

“Since independence we have been trying to have a new constitution and the few dragging us behind should come to their senses,” he said at Wang’uru stadium in Ngurubani town.

The President took issue with Mwea MP Peter Gitau, the only lawmaker in the "No" camp in the area saying he was on the wrong side of history.

He said it was bad to oppose the constitution simply because of a few clauses, which could be discussed after the referendum.

“Others are opposing the constitution because of two little things, they will be seen as if they are not thinking,” he said.

Protect gains

He claimed majority of Kenyans have read the constitution and agreed that it was a good one.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka said the constitution would protect the gains the country has made during President Kibaki’s administration and every Kenyan had a responsibility to vote for it.

“It will be an inheritance of justice,” he said and called on Kenyans to turn out in large numbers and participate in the history making process.

Mr Musyoka said Kenyans had a unique opportunity of deciding their destiny by making sure the Yes vote triumphs.

Nairobi Metropolitan Development minister Njeru Githae, who was the host, accused the No team of propagating propaganda during the campaign meetings adding that they should be ignored.

He said the constitution was one of the best as it allowed all people to work and own land anywhere in Kenya.

Addressing the gathering, Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta said the endorsement of the constitution would bring a new dawn in the country.

Mr Kenyatta underscored the need to support the constitution in the August, 4 referendum, saying it would ensure that development is realised, free education for all children and the rights of the people were protected.

He dismissed as cheap propaganda that individual land would be taken over by the State if the constitution sailed through in the referendum.

Trade minister Amos Kimunya was emphatic that the constitution would guarantee equitable distribution of resources to grassroots as counties would get more than Sh2billion in every financial year.

“This constitution has a lot of benefits and every Kenyan would enjoy life once it passes,” he said.

Ninety per cent

Former area MP Alfred Nderitu assured the President that the residents would deliver more than ninety per cent vote for Yes despite opposition by their lawmaker.

President Kibaki said the government will invest Sh12billion to boost rice production and it was committed to increase yields in the Mwea irrigation settlement scheme to three times its current production.

The President said the country did not have enough rice and farming the crop needed financial backing so that farmers could improve their living standards.

“We want to increase production so that our country can have sufficient rice and surplus for export,” he said urging residents and the rice farmers to vote for the constitution.

The Head of State said the scheme was the largest in the country and could not be abandoned.

He disclosed that a dam would be constructed in the area to increase irrigation.

“Don’t worry as we are addressing the problems facing you. Those few people cheating you that we are not concerned about rice prices are liars and don’t listen to them,” he said.

Mr Kimunya assured rice farmers that the government would control the import of cheap rice to get rid of unfair trading competition.

Later, the President proceeded to Eastern province for rallies in Mbeere and Embu districts.