Final push: 'Yes' team picks historic venue for last rally

By Alex Ndegwa and Paul Mutua

Referendum rivals closed the campaign period with zeal and energy as the moment of truth knocked on Kenya's doors.

It was a day rich in symbolism as ‘No’ team chose to make its last statement against the Proposed Constitution from Frere Town in Mombasa — where slaves that the British navy saved from a sea voyage to bondage were settled in the 1800s. The venue suited ‘No’ message proposed law bears the face of external influence, President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga took the ‘Yes’ campaign to Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu. By choice and deliberately so, they stirred memories of Kenya’s Independence struggle because it is here that some of the fieriest rallying messages for Kenyans to liberate themselves were made in the 1950s.

For the ‘Yes’ team the draft laws portend a rebirth of the nation, a bloodless revolution and delivery of the Second Republic.

As the campaign chapter closed, ushering in the final phase, which will be fought individually by voters in secluded polling booths, the Interim Independent Electoral Commission announced Kenyans would receive the results of any constituency they want via cell-phone SMS service.

"All Kenyans will be free to send in a request for results of a given constituency by writing the name of that area and the results will be made available," announced IIEC Commissioner Mr Davies Chirchir.

The official said results from polling stations would also be available on condition the interested person also indicates the station’s official code. "The SMS Number that has been provided for any referendum inquiry is 3007," revealed Chirchir.

The ‘Yes’ team said they deliberately ended their rallies at Kirigiti to rekindle and tap the historic symbolism of the liberation struggle because this is where Kenya’s first President and Independence hero, Jomo Kenyatta, held his last freedom struggle meeting in 1952 before being arrested. Standing witness to the symbol-laden gathering was Jomo’s son, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.

Speaking in Frere Town in Mombasa’s Kisauni Constituency, Higher Education Minister William Ruto said he was sending a message that he wants a nation in which Kenyans are not slaves of their own laws.

He claimed the proposed laws would allow international conventions to automatically become applicable in Kenya without involvement of its Parliament.

Before Kenyans form beelines at polling stations for their country’s second referendum, the ‘Yes’ team cautioned its supporters that the contest was not over until all the votes were counted, and asked voters to turn out in large numbers.

Final push

In his final push to popularise the Proposed Constitution, President Kibaki said he had no doubt his efforts would carry the day, and the ‘Yes’ team win tomorrow’s referendum.

But before Kirigiti, Kibaki was in Kitui Central, Water Minister Charity Ngilu’s constituency — which has been considered a potential goldmine by both ‘No’ and ‘Yes’ leaders because it led opinion polls in the number of undecided voters.

In both rallies Kibaki called on Kenyans to vote for the Proposed Constitution to "better their lives". "I have no doubt or fear whatsoever that the ‘Yes’ side will win. I am asking all of you to vote for the Proposed Constitution to better your lives," he said.

In Kiambu, Raila said the ‘Yes’ team had deliberately chosen the venue to conclude its campaigns for the historic symbolism of the Independence struggle. "It was here, too, that Kanu was formed with Kenyatta chosen as the Party President, Jaramogi Odinga as Vice-President and Tom Mboya Secretary General. James Gichuru was picked as the Interim President on behalf of detained Kenyatta," Raila told the rally.

The President said he did not want anyone to abstain from the vote, so that the new constitution that seeks to radically change how the country is governed, becomes reality.

"Now is the time for all of us to agree that everybody will cast their votes early on Wednesday before proceeding with their daily chores," said Kibaki.

Uhuru told Central Kenya residents a new constitution went beyond President Kibaki’s legacy, because it was in their best interest. "If you don’t get a new constitution now, whoever comes to power — and only God knows whom that will be — could use the current constitution to sit on you until you cry in the toilet. We should come out in huge numbers like we have done before," said Uhuru in Gikuyu language.

It was also a day of mixed fortunes for the ‘Yes’ team on the campaign trail. Though Kibaki, Raila and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka held peaceful rallies, a ‘Yes’ team led by Lands Minister James Orengo was heckled in Baringo Central.

Orengo was part of a larger ‘Yes’ team that was led by Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi that headed for Baringo Central on the last day of the constituency foray.

The team ran into trouble when they encountered a ‘No’ crowd waving red cards at Kabarnet High School forcing police to intervene.

In Mombasa, Tourism Minister Najib Balala and Kisauni MP Hassan Joho — who are both in ‘Yes’ — held separate rallies. Balala hit out at some politicians whom he accused of having a selfish agenda. "There are those eager to be elected as Governors and Senators and are using the campaigns to further their political ambitions," Balala claimed.

Balala led a procession to Tononoka Grounds while Joho led his supporters in a separate march along the streets of Mombasa.

Cabinet Ministers Kiraitu Murungi, Prof George Saitoti, Mr Joseph Nyagah, Mrs Beth Mugo and PM’s wife Ida Odinga urged Kenyans to seize the moment to change Kenya.

A call was also made for a peaceful referendum countrywide.