Senior govt officials continue the Yes campaigns

Written By:Rufus Hunja/Rose Kamau , Posted: Sat, Jul 24, 2010

Despite the criticism and controversy surrounding the involvement of civil servants in civic education on the proposed constitution, several permanent secretaries are this weekend in different parts of the country in what they say is a bid to enlighten Kenyans on some of the so-called contentious clauses.

Local government permanent secretary Karega Mutahi said the exercise was going on well adding that they were out to dispel untruths spread by those he claims are peddling propaganda.

The issue of civil servants campaigning for the proposed constitution has raised objections from the No camp which is accusing the government of diverting funds meant for other projects to campaign for the new law in the guise of civic education.

On Thursday, five commissions tasked with the delivery of the Agenda Four programmes objected to the move saying civil servants should not take sides in the campaigns.

"Civil servants should be excluded from campaigns. They are supposed to be neutral providers of services to all Kenyans," said the chairman of the Independent Interim Electoral Copmmission, Isaak Hassan.

However on Friday, President Mwai Kibaki defended the permanent secretaries saying they have a right to campaign for the new law.

Kibaki termed as propaganda assertions that Permanent secretaries, provincial commissioners, district commissioners and other civil servants should not participate in the push for the proposed constitution.

The civil servants on their part insist they are only sensitizing the public to allay any misunderstanding on the proposed constitution.

Mutahi accompanied by energy PS Patrick Nyoike were in Murang'a where they carried out an education forum for area residents.

Youth PS James Waweru accompanied by Vision 2030 Director Mugo Kebati toured Kiambu where they urged the locals to ensure they read the proposed constitution and made a choice on their own.

Bill of rights

Permanent Secretaries from Nyanza province conducted civic education for the people of Gem, Alego and Ugenya districts and urged them to vote for the proposed new constitution.

Led by the PS of the Nairobi Metropolitan Eng Philip Onyango, the PSs said the new constitution has established a bill of rights for the people of Kenya to ensure that they are not deprived of their rights.

Others who attended the civic education forum were gender ministry PS Prof. Jackline Adhiambo, Ugenya DC Mrs Caroline Onchoka, Gem DC Mr. Abdirizak Jaldesa and acting Nyanza Central regional commissioner Mr. Mogaka Mabea.

Elsewhere permanent secretaries, their deputies, government lawyers, ministry directors and public service commissioners, led by Ministry of Higher Education PS Chrispus Makau Kiamba and presidential advisor Kivutha Kibwana on Saturday took the Yes campaign to Kitui.

Kiamba said the proposed draft marks an historic journey to a true Kenyan-made law as opposed to the current Lancaster draft which was coined to serve colonial interests.

"This constitution draft is a stepping board towards the realization of vision 2030 and a transformation of this country from its third world into a second world status," he asserted.

Others at the forum were office of the prime minister PS Titus Ndambuki and Public Service Commission secretary, Bernadette Nzioki,

Other top civil servants were in in Siakago constituency campaigning for the proposed constitution.

Public Complaints Standing Committee (PCSC) executive director Mr. Kenneth Mwige, Coffee Board of Kenya MD Loise Njeru and her Tea Board of Kenya counterpart Mrs. Cecily Kanini insisted they were not politicking but educating the electorate on the contents of the draft after distortion by people opposed to its enactment.

The civil servants said their sessions were meant to be interactive where members of the public asked questions which were answered by various professions.