WHAT IS THEIR INTEREST?

Leaders opposed to the Proposed Constitution have defended themselves against claims they are opposed to having a constitutional dispensation.

At the same time, the group that took its campaigns to Runyenjes in Embu questioned the interests of the US Government in the Kenyan constitutional affairs, saying President Barack Obama’s administration was pushing the local leadership to adopt the draft.

Higher Education Minister William Ruto led four other MPs in the rally, where they dismissed those alleging they were against a new constitution for the country.

"The truth of the matter is that both camps are for a new constitution. What we are against is the passage of the draft as it is when we all agree it has faults that need to be amended," said Mr Ruto.

The minister said what those opposed to the draft wanted was fixing of contentious issues before the document is taken for the referendum.

This hurry

"Kenyans should ask themselves why there is this hurry to pass the draft through, when we all agree it has its shortcomings. The logical thing would have been for us to wait for another few months to iron out the contentious issues before heading for a referendum," said Ruto.

The minister, accompanied by Assistant Minister Jebii Kilimo and MPs Charles Keter, Mithika Linturi and Daniel Muoki, further faulted a clause on the draft on assimilation of international conventions.

The MPs said the clause would ensure that foreign laws, which have not been ratified by Parliament, are applied, a move they said could see oppressive laws assimilated after Kenya becomes a signatory of such conventions.

Questioning the interests of the Obama’s administration in the "country’s internal affairs", Ruto and Linturi claimed the visit to the country of US Vice-President Joe Biden was intended to push the country’s leadership into ensuring the passage of the draft constitution.

"What is the interest of the US Government in our review process? This is an internal affair and Kenya is a sovereign state," said Mr Linturi.