Kenya ministers opposed to the proposed constitution are insincere since they participated in the process that endorsed the document, a Cabinet minister has said.
Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang' said his No colleagues sat in a Cabinet meeting that resolved to back the proposed constitution and urged politicians to delink the 2012 elections from the constitutional debate.
“We met as Cabinet on various occasions and eventually collectively agreed to support the draft constitution. I urge my colleagues with opposing views to stick to the truth as they exercise their democratic right,” said Mr Kajwang' during the inauguration of a Sh70 million Meibeki water project in Eldoret East District Tuesday.
He said the country was ripe for a new constitution after a 20 year-wait.
The minister said it was unfair to take advantage of many Kenyans, who had no time to read the document, to mislead them about its contents in a bid to win their loyalty.
He said MPs had the obligation to accept parliament’s verdict and support the proposed constitution after they failed to garner support to amend the contentious issues.
“We have no choice as legislators but to support the majority after few amendments that were fronted failed to pass. If you can’t beat them, you join them. You can’t resort to name calling or violence,” he said.
Based on truth
He appealed for tolerance of divergent views but maintained the alternative ideas must be based on the truth if leaders had the interests of Kenyans at heart.
“Let’s not threaten others then we comfortably claim we were interpreting the proposed constitution. Promoting ethnic hatred is not good for this country especially that the unfortunate 2007 post elections memories are still flesh in our minds.”
He said the proposed constitution, contrary to views advanced by those opposed to it, will devolve governance and ensure public resources were equitably distributed to benefit all Kenyans.
“This document is good for this country. It is a great improvement of the current constitution. It will also check on the executive and ensure the president does not singlehandedly run the country,” Mr Kajwang’ said.
The minister, who toured water projects in the district and parts of Marakwet, was accompanied by Eldoret East MP Margaret Kamar, Boaz Kaino (Marakwet West), Wilson Litole (Sigor) and a former area MP Elijah Lagat.
Mr Kaino and Mr Lagat said they were on the No side because issues touching on land, abortion, counties and kadhi courts would divide Kenyans if the proposed constitution is passed at the referendum, set for August 4.
Prof Kamar said she was not supporting any side until the period set aside for civic education ends.
The legislator said it was wrong to poison people’s minds before they knew what was contained in the proposed constitution as the move could make people reject what is good for them.
“People fear some chapters because they think they mean what they don’t. This is not the time to preach who is losing or gaining from the constitution making process,” said Prof Kamar.
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