President paints Kericho green

KAPKATET, Kenya, Jul 30 - President Mwai Kibaki has dismissed as baseless rumours peddled by politicians in the No camp that Kenyans will lose their land if the proposed Constitution is passed.

President Kibaki said contrary to the claims, the proposed Constitution guaranteed the rights of land ownership among other private properties.

In this regard, the President urged politicians in the No camp to tell Kenyans the truth about the contents of the proposed Constitution instead of spreading lies on the few clauses they see as contentious.

Addressing a Yes campaign rally at Kapkatet stadium in Buret District, the Head of State said genuine leadership involved telling the truth but those discrediting the Proposed Constitution were only isolating their followers from the majority of Kenyans who cherish the truth and have resolved to support passage of the Proposed Constitution next week.

Saying he had so far addressed 30 campaign rallies across the country, President Kibaki expressed satisfaction with Kenyans’ overwhelming support for the proposed new Constitution.

The President noted that the proposed supreme law guaranteed good governance and equitable distribution of resources through devolved power to the grassroots.

“I have no doubt that the proposed Constitution which is good for the country and supported by majority of Kenyans will voted for overwhelmingly during the referendum,” the Head of State said.

President Kibaki reaffirmed that the proposed Constitution would cater for the interests of all Kenyans without discrimination.

He said after over 20 years of elusive search for a new Constitution, a new constitutional dispensation will this time round be realised by Kenyans whom, he said, were eagerly waiting for the referendum day to endorse the new law.

During the rally attended by eleven Cabinet ministers, the Head of State reiterated his call to Kenyans who have not read the proposed Constitution to do so in order to make an informed decision during next week referendum.

President Kibaki called on both the proponents and opponents of the proposed Constitution to rise above partisan interests in view of the fact that the constitution being debated would secure the future of the nation.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi dismissed as unfortunate claims by politicians in the No camp that the proposed Constitution was drafted by foreigners.

The proposed supreme law was prepared by Kenyans and will win international recognition once passed, Mr Mudavadi said.

Roads Minister Franklin Bett urged wananchi in Rift Valley to accommodate divergent views regarding the proposed Constitution and maintain peace during and after next week’s referendum.

Mr Bett affirmed that the rights of life and property must be respected so that communities in the province continued to live harmoniously even after the referendum.

He said the outcome of the referendum should not divide Kenyans but unite them to reap the benefits accruing from the new supreme law.

Cabinet Ministers Sally Koskey, Chris Obure, Otieno Kajwang, Amos Kimunya, Dalmas Otieno, Charity Ngilu, Henry Koskey and James Orengo enumerated the many benefits that would be derived from the proposed Constitution.

The leaders advised opponents of the proposed Constitution to re-consider their position and support the supreme law by avoiding being to be carried away by cheap politics.

Earlier, the President held a consultative meeting with grassroots leaders from the eight Kipsigis districts at Buret District Commissioner ’s residence.

The meeting was attended by among others Buret MP Franklin Bett, Internal Security Minister Prof George Saitoti, Amos Kimunya and legislators and professionals from the Kipsigis community.