Mudavadi warns of new plot to derail new laws

By Juma Kwayera

Victorious 'Yes' team has raised the red flag over the losing side’s demands for re-negotiation of the approved constitution, saying it is a plot to erect barriers in the implementation of the new laws.

The team said the demands are likely to rekindle the animosity witnessed in the countdown to the Wednesday referendum.

The group warns the fresh demands for a re-negotiation of the contested clauses are unnecessary distraction to give the losing side a lifeline.

"We will look like we had another agenda in the referendum campaigns if we attempt to put conditions and bottlenecks on the way forward. The overwhelming ratification and tight schedules provided in the new constitution, especially for Parliament, do not allow for any excuses and stalling," read a statement released by Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi.

While conceding defeat before the Interim Independent Electoral Commission announced the final result on Thursday, the ‘Reds’ — led by Higher Education Minister William Ruto — said it would not relent in the push to amend contested clauses on land, abortion, Kadhis’ courts and devolution.

The Church, which was part of the ‘No’ campaign, said it was moving to court to contest the referendum outcome. National Council of Churches of Kenya General Secretary, Reverend Peter Karanja, in a statement said the referendum was fraught with irregularities.

Malpractices and irregularities

"We are saddened by the fact the pre-referendum process was marked by malpractices and irregularities, which continued right into the balloting and tallying phases. This calls into question the validity of the process and its outcome," Karanja said.

The ‘Greens’ are apprehensive their rivals are looking for new barriers to block the approved Constitution.

"We cannot afford to encumber the legislative process in Parliament with parallel conferencing over what the people have already made a verdict on. I would rather any view on any legislation as provided for under the schedules in the new constitution be argued on the floor of the House rather than hotel boardrooms," Mudavadi said.

Free and fair

As a new storm over the texture of approved Constitution looked imminent, Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto disclosed the ‘No’ team was regrouping and would most likely bring up the divisive issues to the floor of the House.

He said he had lined up 10 amendments that cover the Executive, land issues, devolution, rights and liberties, religion and succession, which he hopes will be passed by Parliament as part of "post-referendum healing."

"We are done with Agenda Four that came to an end with the referendum which ratified the new Constitution. We are coming up with a new strategy we are calling Agenda Five. We are serious about giving this country new leadership," Ruto told The Standard On Saturday.