Fund NO too

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has called for dialogue between the government and those opposing the proposed constitution to agree on funding of the campaigns.

Mr Musyoka recommended that the Interim Independent Electoral Commission steer the talks to reach an agreement on how the different campaigns would be funded.

“I have heard what Mutula (Kilonzo) and the No proponents have said about the funding issue and what our brothers in the Yes are also saying. I cannot say who is right or wrong,” Mr Musyoka said.

“While we agree that the proposed constitution is a government project, these (the opponents) are also Kenyans. We need to sit down with them and dialogue.”

Mr Musyoka was speaking at the Wilson airport in Nairobi upon arrival from Juba, where he attended the inauguration of Southern Sudan President Salva Kiir on Friday.

The VP also defended himself from accusations that he was indecisive on his stand on the proposed constitution.

“Calling for dialogue does not mean sitting on the fence but it shows the love I have for this country so much that I am calling for dialogue,” he said.

The VP had a hostile reception during the first Yes rally at Uhuru Park last weekend. He was booed as he addressed the rally and was forced to cut short his speech.

On Saturday, the VP called on his colleagues in the Yes camp to accommodate all views. Revisiting the Uhuru Park incident, he said his bitterness had ended but was non-committal when asked if he would hold joint rallies with Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whom he blamed for the Uhuru Park incident.

“Some of us have been in this game long enough to know that anything can happen, but we must move on,” he said.

He emphasised that his support for the proposed constitution was unshakeable and accused the No team of attempting to stifle development.

“As I have stated before, the proposed constitution will open the floodgates for investments and provide employment to youths who make up the biggest chunk of the population,” he said.

“By stifling this process, the opponents are stopping the youths from employment which can be a time bomb for our country.”

He called on those in the opposing camp to support the efforts of transforming the country.

Started in earnest

Mr Musyoka asked the Committee of Experts and the IIEC to accommodate the campaigns which have started in earnest before the official date.

The CoE has planned a one-month civic education programme before official campaigns begin.

“Kenyans are so eager to get the constitution so if we are seen campaigning before the expiry of the period for civic education, they (CoE) should understand,” he said.

The VP called for sobriety during the campaigns and appealed to politicians to avoid abusive language and hate speech.

“This time round, we should desist from hard tackling politics,” he said.