NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 27 - The Cabinet has ruled out any changes to the proposed Constitution dealing a major blow to negotiations between the government and Churches before the referendum.
The decision was reached at a Cabinet Meeting at State House Nairobi that was chaired by President Mwai Kibaki.
A statement from the President’s Press Service said Cabinet concluded that it was practically impossible to amend the Constitution Review Act in order to accommodate concerns expressed by Christian Church leaders and others at this stage.
The Cabinet resolved to support the draft constitution in its current form but agreed that talks between the government and Church continue to "accommodate their concerns on the issue of abortion and right to life.”
If agreement is reached, then such changes will have to be incorporated once the draft is passed in a referendum through an Act of Parliament.
Below is the full Cabinet brief to the media:
The Cabinet today reviewed preparations being made on the upcoming referendum on the constitution and efforts being made to develop a consensus.
In this regard the Cabinet scrutinized the time table leading to the referendum as set out in the Constitution Review Act 2008 and the Constitution of Kenya.
After the review the Cabinet concluded that it was practically impossible at this stage to amend the Constitution of Kenya or Constitution Review Act in order to accommodate concerns expressed by Christian Church leaders and others.
Consequently Cabinet agreed to support the draft constitution in its current form.
However it was also agreed that the government will continue engaging leaders of the Christian Churches with a view to agreeing on an act of parliament that would accommodate the concerns of the Christian Churches on the issue of abortion and right to life.
Meeting under the Chairmanship of President Mwai Kibaki at State House Nairobi, the Cabinet further directed the Minister in charge of registration of persons and the Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs to expedite and expand the acquisition of identity cards and registration of voters.
The government will also mobilise the provincial administration and intensify the campaign for registration to enable as many Kenyans as possible to register as voters before the deadline.
Today’s Cabinet meeting also approved the program for the revival of the Pan Paper Mills.
The Cabinet further approved ratification of the East African Community Common Market Protocol that is set to come into force later in the year.
The protocol allows for the free movement of labour, capital, goods and services within the five member states.
Cabinet underscored the need for the Kenyan public to be educated on the implications and benefits of the Common Market Protocol.
It was also good news for farmers and traders as Cabinet approved the development of the Nairobi Fresh Produce Wholesale Market at Kasarani.
Also approved at today’s meeting are key policy reforms meant to give a major boost to the livestock industry. These are:
- Veterinarian Surgeons and Para-professionals Bill 2009.
- Poultry Industry policy reforms.
- Dairy Industry development policy.
- Bee keeping Industry development policy.
The Cabinet has also approved the Extradition Treaty with the Republic of Rwanda.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
KAJWANG ON DEVANI
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 27 - Police have finally freed a man who was arrested after names on his passport matched those of runaway Triton Oil scandal prime suspect Yagnesh Devani, despite insistence by the Immigration Ministry that he was indeed the one.
The man was released early on Tuesday barely hours after Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang said that his officers had ascertained that the held suspect was Mr Devani.
“I asked my officers who looked at his passport... looked at his thumb prints and compared them with the data we have and confirmed he is the one. I don’t want to say more because the people who should be confirming that are my officers,” Mr Kajwang’ said.
But when asked to clarify the contradictory statement from the Immigration department and the police at a later press conference on Tuesday afternoon, the Minister laughed and left saying the issue was not related to the subject of his press briefing.
“You are asking about Devani... that is not related to this meeting,” he told journalists.
Earlier, reports from police headquarters had indicated that the detained man was to face charges for possessing multiple passports but not the Sh7.6billion oil scandal.
“He is a free man; he was set free this morning and he is no longer in our custody,” sources privy to the investigation told Capital News.
“Any further details should come from police headquarters, get in touch with the Spokesman,” the source added.
Police Spokesman Erick Kiraithe had told Capital News on Tuesday morning: “Our investigation has shown that the suspect is not Devani but we are investigating him on some other issues.”
That was before news of the release filtered to newsrooms.
On Monday, Mr Kiraithe told Capital News that fingerprint samples taken from the suspect did not match those of Mr Devani.
The suspect held since Friday was arrested soon after landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after officers thought he was the runaway billionaire businessman.
The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) categorically stated it was not involved [in any way] in the investigations of the man in question, although the commission is seeking Mr Devani on the oil scandal charges.
“The position is that our officers are not involved in this investigation; we have not been involved [by the police] and we are just reading about it on newspapers,” KACC Spokesman Mr Nicholas Simani told Capital News.
Briefs given to the police from the Interpol showed that Mr Devani was in London last week from where he left via India and later to Nairobi.
His Lawyer Katwa Kigen has equally denied his client is in Kenya and had even spoken to him on telephone.
He told reporters in Eldoret at the weekend that he had spoken to his client who assured him that he was not in the country or in anybody’s custody.
The government sought Interpol’s help to have Mr Devani, together with other directors of his Triton Petroleum Company arrested over the scandal in January last year after accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers was contracted to carry out a forensic audit on the scope of the fraud that affected the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and the Kenya Pipeline Company.
The man was released early on Tuesday barely hours after Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang said that his officers had ascertained that the held suspect was Mr Devani.
“I asked my officers who looked at his passport... looked at his thumb prints and compared them with the data we have and confirmed he is the one. I don’t want to say more because the people who should be confirming that are my officers,” Mr Kajwang’ said.
But when asked to clarify the contradictory statement from the Immigration department and the police at a later press conference on Tuesday afternoon, the Minister laughed and left saying the issue was not related to the subject of his press briefing.
“You are asking about Devani... that is not related to this meeting,” he told journalists.
Earlier, reports from police headquarters had indicated that the detained man was to face charges for possessing multiple passports but not the Sh7.6billion oil scandal.
“He is a free man; he was set free this morning and he is no longer in our custody,” sources privy to the investigation told Capital News.
“Any further details should come from police headquarters, get in touch with the Spokesman,” the source added.
Police Spokesman Erick Kiraithe had told Capital News on Tuesday morning: “Our investigation has shown that the suspect is not Devani but we are investigating him on some other issues.”
That was before news of the release filtered to newsrooms.
On Monday, Mr Kiraithe told Capital News that fingerprint samples taken from the suspect did not match those of Mr Devani.
The suspect held since Friday was arrested soon after landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after officers thought he was the runaway billionaire businessman.
The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) categorically stated it was not involved [in any way] in the investigations of the man in question, although the commission is seeking Mr Devani on the oil scandal charges.
“The position is that our officers are not involved in this investigation; we have not been involved [by the police] and we are just reading about it on newspapers,” KACC Spokesman Mr Nicholas Simani told Capital News.
Briefs given to the police from the Interpol showed that Mr Devani was in London last week from where he left via India and later to Nairobi.
His Lawyer Katwa Kigen has equally denied his client is in Kenya and had even spoken to him on telephone.
He told reporters in Eldoret at the weekend that he had spoken to his client who assured him that he was not in the country or in anybody’s custody.
The government sought Interpol’s help to have Mr Devani, together with other directors of his Triton Petroleum Company arrested over the scandal in January last year after accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers was contracted to carry out a forensic audit on the scope of the fraud that affected the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and the Kenya Pipeline Company.
WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?
* KINDERGARTEN TEACHER: To get to the other side.
* PLATO: For the greater good.
* THE POPE: God knows.
* POLICEMAN: Give me ten minutes with the chicken and I'll know why.
* ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross roads.
* SADDAM HUSSEIN: This was an unprovoked act of rebellion and we were justified in dropping 50 tons of nerve gas on it.
* CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK: To boldly go where no chicken has gone before.
* MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR: I envision a world where all chickens will be free to cross roads without having their motives being called into question.
* MACHIAVELLI: The point is that the chicken crossed the road. Who cares why? The end of crossing the road justifies whatever motive there was.
* FREUD: The fact that you are at all concerned that the chicken crossed the road reveals your underlying sexual insecurity.
* GEORGE W. BUSH (2): We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road or not. The chicken is either with us or it is against us. There is no middle ground here.
* DARWIN: Chickens, over great periods of time, have been naturally selected in such a way that they are now genetically disposed to cross roads.
* EINSTEIN: Whether the chicken crossed the road or the road moved beneath the chicken depends upon your frame of reference.
* NELSON MANDELA: Never again, will the chicken be questioned for crossing the road. This is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
* THABO MBEKI: We need to establish if really there is a connection between the chicken and the road.
* MUGABE: For all of these years the road has been owned by the white farmers, the poor underprivileged chicken has waited too long for that road to be given to him and now he is crossing it in force with his fellow war veteran chickens. We intend taking over this road and giving it to the roadless chickens so that they can cross it without fear of retribution from Britain who promised money to institute road reform.
We will not stop until all roadless chickens have roads to cross and the freedom to cross them.
* ISAAC NEWTON: Any chicken in the universe shall always cross a road perpendicularly to the side of the road, and in an infinitely long straight line at uniform speed, unless the chicken stops due to an unbalanced reactive force in the opposite direction of the chicken's motion.
* ZANU (PF) Spokesman: The chicken did not cross the road. This is a complete fabrication. We don't even have a single chicken in our country as the whole world knows. All the chickens were bought and consumed by the long-suffering masses at give-away prices when we sent out our comrades to enforce what our enemies are now unpatriotically and maliciously referring to as the largest closing down sale in the world.
* JACOB ZUMA: I am gravely suspicious that this question is being asked with a malicious intention to trap me, send the Scorpions to raid my chicken run, haul me before the courts and charge me for sodomizing the chicken that walked across the road towards me as it was running away from an advancing light shower! Awuleth' umshini wam' ........!!!
* MWAI KIBAKI: Mavi ya Kuku wewe pumbavu sana.
* PLATO: For the greater good.
* THE POPE: God knows.
* POLICEMAN: Give me ten minutes with the chicken and I'll know why.
* ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross roads.
* SADDAM HUSSEIN: This was an unprovoked act of rebellion and we were justified in dropping 50 tons of nerve gas on it.
* CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK: To boldly go where no chicken has gone before.
* MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR: I envision a world where all chickens will be free to cross roads without having their motives being called into question.
* MACHIAVELLI: The point is that the chicken crossed the road. Who cares why? The end of crossing the road justifies whatever motive there was.
* FREUD: The fact that you are at all concerned that the chicken crossed the road reveals your underlying sexual insecurity.
* GEORGE W. BUSH (2): We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road or not. The chicken is either with us or it is against us. There is no middle ground here.
* DARWIN: Chickens, over great periods of time, have been naturally selected in such a way that they are now genetically disposed to cross roads.
* EINSTEIN: Whether the chicken crossed the road or the road moved beneath the chicken depends upon your frame of reference.
* NELSON MANDELA: Never again, will the chicken be questioned for crossing the road. This is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
* THABO MBEKI: We need to establish if really there is a connection between the chicken and the road.
* MUGABE: For all of these years the road has been owned by the white farmers, the poor underprivileged chicken has waited too long for that road to be given to him and now he is crossing it in force with his fellow war veteran chickens. We intend taking over this road and giving it to the roadless chickens so that they can cross it without fear of retribution from Britain who promised money to institute road reform.
We will not stop until all roadless chickens have roads to cross and the freedom to cross them.
* ISAAC NEWTON: Any chicken in the universe shall always cross a road perpendicularly to the side of the road, and in an infinitely long straight line at uniform speed, unless the chicken stops due to an unbalanced reactive force in the opposite direction of the chicken's motion.
* ZANU (PF) Spokesman: The chicken did not cross the road. This is a complete fabrication. We don't even have a single chicken in our country as the whole world knows. All the chickens were bought and consumed by the long-suffering masses at give-away prices when we sent out our comrades to enforce what our enemies are now unpatriotically and maliciously referring to as the largest closing down sale in the world.
* JACOB ZUMA: I am gravely suspicious that this question is being asked with a malicious intention to trap me, send the Scorpions to raid my chicken run, haul me before the courts and charge me for sodomizing the chicken that walked across the road towards me as it was running away from an advancing light shower! Awuleth' umshini wam' ........!!!
* MWAI KIBAKI: Mavi ya Kuku wewe pumbavu sana.
VOTER IMPORTATION
The Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) officials in Laikipia District have raised alarm over suspected voter importation in the area.
The officials said the high number of people from outside the region seeking to be registered as voters was suspicious.
According to the Laikipia West IIEC Elections Coordinator Mr Joseph
Wanguhu, most of the new voters were young people, some of who are threatening the registration clerks when interrogated as to why they are opting to register in the area and not where their identification documents indicates.
He said the youth are brought to voting stations in vehicles, saying many of them have been transported to registration centres in Nyahururu town, Muthengera, Ol-Jabet, Ol-Moran, Muhotetu and Karandi areas.
"We have received complaints from our registration clerks that these young people have threatened them for being asked why they were coming to register in large group and we suspect some ulterior motive," he said.
He asked the government through the provincial administration to be alert, saying the matter was serious and requiring thorough investigations.
Speaking at a leaders and voter sensitisation forum in Nyahururu town, Wanguhu noted that most of the areas targeted were mostly populated and hence could not be detected with ease.
He said the IIEC will not condone voter importation adding that security officers have been deployed to ensure IIEC officers were safe.
The officer said more than 58,000 people have been registered, but it was way below the expected 123,000.
The officials said the high number of people from outside the region seeking to be registered as voters was suspicious.
According to the Laikipia West IIEC Elections Coordinator Mr Joseph
Wanguhu, most of the new voters were young people, some of who are threatening the registration clerks when interrogated as to why they are opting to register in the area and not where their identification documents indicates.
He said the youth are brought to voting stations in vehicles, saying many of them have been transported to registration centres in Nyahururu town, Muthengera, Ol-Jabet, Ol-Moran, Muhotetu and Karandi areas.
"We have received complaints from our registration clerks that these young people have threatened them for being asked why they were coming to register in large group and we suspect some ulterior motive," he said.
He asked the government through the provincial administration to be alert, saying the matter was serious and requiring thorough investigations.
Speaking at a leaders and voter sensitisation forum in Nyahururu town, Wanguhu noted that most of the areas targeted were mostly populated and hence could not be detected with ease.
He said the IIEC will not condone voter importation adding that security officers have been deployed to ensure IIEC officers were safe.
The officer said more than 58,000 people have been registered, but it was way below the expected 123,000.
KALIECH GONE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 27 - Veteran politician and former long serving Cabinet Minister William Odongo Omamo is dead. Sources close to the family say he died on Tuesday morning.
The 82-year-old politician will be remembered for his rib-tickling humour and eloquence in the 1980s.
Kaliech (elephant) as he was fondly referred to in Bondo, has been ailing for a long time.
The late Omamo, born in Sakwa, Bondo has held long-standing political hide-and-seek with the Odinga family.
Mr Omamo began his political career in 1969 when he quit as principal of Egerton College to contest the Bondo parliamentary seat.
He won the seat previously held by doyen of Kenyan politics, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Mr Omamo took sides with Jomo Kenyatta and spurned Mr Odinga's leftist politics.
He became a confidant of Mr Kenyatta and was appointed Minister for Environment in 1975.
He can be aptly described as orator par excellence.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga says the death has come as a shock and a surprise to him and the whole country.
“Dr Omamo was a pioneer in many ways. As the first African Principal of the then Egerton Agricultural College - the modern day Egerton University - he set the institution on the firm foundation that has made it what it is today,” he said.
He added that Dr Omamo dedicated his life to public service as a pioneer agronomist, a scholar and politician.
“His death is particularly a loss to the people of Bondo where he began his political career and Nyanza, where he was part and parcel of the political landscape from the time country held the second general election in 1969.”
He said Dr Omamo contributed to the making of the Kenyan nation as Cabinet Minister in various ministries in independent Kenya. “It is sad that the nation will not benefit from his wisdom as we embark on the final leg of our long search for a new constitution,” Mr Odinga said.
The 82-year-old politician will be remembered for his rib-tickling humour and eloquence in the 1980s.
Kaliech (elephant) as he was fondly referred to in Bondo, has been ailing for a long time.
The late Omamo, born in Sakwa, Bondo has held long-standing political hide-and-seek with the Odinga family.
Mr Omamo began his political career in 1969 when he quit as principal of Egerton College to contest the Bondo parliamentary seat.
He won the seat previously held by doyen of Kenyan politics, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Mr Omamo took sides with Jomo Kenyatta and spurned Mr Odinga's leftist politics.
He became a confidant of Mr Kenyatta and was appointed Minister for Environment in 1975.
He can be aptly described as orator par excellence.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga says the death has come as a shock and a surprise to him and the whole country.
“Dr Omamo was a pioneer in many ways. As the first African Principal of the then Egerton Agricultural College - the modern day Egerton University - he set the institution on the firm foundation that has made it what it is today,” he said.
He added that Dr Omamo dedicated his life to public service as a pioneer agronomist, a scholar and politician.
“His death is particularly a loss to the people of Bondo where he began his political career and Nyanza, where he was part and parcel of the political landscape from the time country held the second general election in 1969.”
He said Dr Omamo contributed to the making of the Kenyan nation as Cabinet Minister in various ministries in independent Kenya. “It is sad that the nation will not benefit from his wisdom as we embark on the final leg of our long search for a new constitution,” Mr Odinga said.
KIBAKI TO CHINA
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 27 - President Mwai Kibaki will on Wednesday travel to Shanghai, China for a State visit. President Kibaki will also attend the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, where Kenya is showcasing itself as the central entry point for investors in the East and Central Africa region.
During his State Visit, President Kibaki is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his host Hu Jintao, President of the People’s Republic of China.
China is currently one of Kenya’s leading development partners especially in the area of infrastructure development. President Kibaki has given priority to infrastructure development which has triggered economic growth and massive job creation across the country.
During his last State Visit to China in 2005, President Kibaki requested the Chinese government to partner in the construction of by-passes in the city of Nairobi, the rehabilitation and expansion of the JKIA to Gigiri road, construction of a major hospital in Eastlands area and the modernization of the National Youth Service.
All these projects have already been launched. The Eastern and Northern by-passes are under construction, the JKIA to Gigiri road is nearing completion, a 300-bed hospital is under construction in the Eastlands while equipment and machinery worth Sh4.3 billion has already been delivered for the NYS modernisation program.
During his visit this week President Kibaki will follow-up on new development projects that the government has formally requested the Chinese government to partner with Kenya. The flagship projects are instrumental to the attainment of Vision 2030
These projects include:
- Development of a Railway Network from Lamu through the Northern parts of Kenya to Southern Sudan and Ethiopia.
- Development of the first three Berths and associated infrastructure of the second port of Lamu.
- Construction of Standard Gauge Railway from Mombasa to Malaba.
- Mass transit light rail system for the Nairobi Metropolitan.
While in Shanghai, President Kibaki will also open the Kenya Stand at the African Pavilion at the World Expo-2010.
The theme of the world expo is “Better City – Better Life". Shanghai Expo runs from May 1 to October 31.
Kenya whose participation theme is “Cities of Discoveries and Harmony” is among more than 192 countries participating in the Shanghai Expo 2010. The country intends to utilise the window of opportunity provided by the exposition to showcase and market the country as a preferred destination for trade, investment and tourism.
Besides focusing on the importance of sustainability and development of varied cultures, geographical diversity, planning and development of future cities, Kenya will showcase the priority accorded to eco-tourism as part of the country’s strategy for developing tourism.
Kenya’s participation in the expo also aims at increasing exports of tea, coffee, cut flowers and pyrethrum as well as to promote joint ventures between Kenyan and Chinese companies to enhance the country’s brand and positive image.
World expositions are galleries of human inspirations and thoughts which have attained increasing prominence as grand events for economic, scientific, technological and cultural exchanges. They also serve as platforms for displaying historical experiences and exchanging innovative ideas for sustainable development.
President Kibaki is among only four African Heads of State invited for the official opening ceremony. Others are Malawi, Congo Brazzaville and Mali.
The presidential entourage is expected to depart for Shanghai aboard a scheduled Kenya Airways flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
During his State Visit, President Kibaki is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his host Hu Jintao, President of the People’s Republic of China.
China is currently one of Kenya’s leading development partners especially in the area of infrastructure development. President Kibaki has given priority to infrastructure development which has triggered economic growth and massive job creation across the country.
During his last State Visit to China in 2005, President Kibaki requested the Chinese government to partner in the construction of by-passes in the city of Nairobi, the rehabilitation and expansion of the JKIA to Gigiri road, construction of a major hospital in Eastlands area and the modernization of the National Youth Service.
All these projects have already been launched. The Eastern and Northern by-passes are under construction, the JKIA to Gigiri road is nearing completion, a 300-bed hospital is under construction in the Eastlands while equipment and machinery worth Sh4.3 billion has already been delivered for the NYS modernisation program.
During his visit this week President Kibaki will follow-up on new development projects that the government has formally requested the Chinese government to partner with Kenya. The flagship projects are instrumental to the attainment of Vision 2030
These projects include:
- Development of a Railway Network from Lamu through the Northern parts of Kenya to Southern Sudan and Ethiopia.
- Development of the first three Berths and associated infrastructure of the second port of Lamu.
- Construction of Standard Gauge Railway from Mombasa to Malaba.
- Mass transit light rail system for the Nairobi Metropolitan.
While in Shanghai, President Kibaki will also open the Kenya Stand at the African Pavilion at the World Expo-2010.
The theme of the world expo is “Better City – Better Life". Shanghai Expo runs from May 1 to October 31.
Kenya whose participation theme is “Cities of Discoveries and Harmony” is among more than 192 countries participating in the Shanghai Expo 2010. The country intends to utilise the window of opportunity provided by the exposition to showcase and market the country as a preferred destination for trade, investment and tourism.
Besides focusing on the importance of sustainability and development of varied cultures, geographical diversity, planning and development of future cities, Kenya will showcase the priority accorded to eco-tourism as part of the country’s strategy for developing tourism.
Kenya’s participation in the expo also aims at increasing exports of tea, coffee, cut flowers and pyrethrum as well as to promote joint ventures between Kenyan and Chinese companies to enhance the country’s brand and positive image.
World expositions are galleries of human inspirations and thoughts which have attained increasing prominence as grand events for economic, scientific, technological and cultural exchanges. They also serve as platforms for displaying historical experiences and exchanging innovative ideas for sustainable development.
President Kibaki is among only four African Heads of State invited for the official opening ceremony. Others are Malawi, Congo Brazzaville and Mali.
The presidential entourage is expected to depart for Shanghai aboard a scheduled Kenya Airways flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
BIG RUSH
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 26 - The Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) on Monday said over seven million Kenyans had registered with only nine days to go before the exercise comes to an end.
IIEC Chairman Issack Hassan told Capital News that the numbers will be higher in view of the last minute rush this week.
“We have definitely over seven million voters as per last week. This week there will be higher numbers,” he said.
The IIEC has been optimistic that the registration will surpass the initial expectations of 10 million Kenyans registering for the referendum.
Last week it introduced door-to-door voter registration to counter voter apathy.
Since the introduction, Nairobi Regional Elections Coordinator Ruth Kulundu said Nairobi had realised a remarkable increase of new voters.
“I am very happy that when we started the door-to-door (registration), many more people have come to register, we have been moving to public places and several buildings within the Central Business District,” she said.
In view of encouraging many Kenyans to register, IIEC has been working late in the evenings including the weekends to allow people to register.
It also allowed people to register anywhere since the referendum will is not about electing Members of Parliament.
That has saved many Kenyans from traveling to their home districts to register since after the referendum people will be allowed to transfer their cards to their constituencies of choice.
It has also been involved in active civic education to especially persuade those who were reluctant to register.
Despite challenges of heavy rains and flooding in some areas, IIEC flew materials and its staff to ensure the exercise continued.
But convincing internally displaced persons to register has been a challenge although education and involvement of various groups has drastically convinced most of them otherwise.
Introduction of Electronic Voter Registration in 18 constituencies has also boosted the interest of Kenyans registering.
Mr Hassan hoped it will be possible to roll it out to the rest of the country in view of the 2012 general election.
EVR will end on May 22 while the manual registration will end on May 5.
Mr Hassan appealed to the Attorney General to publish the draft Constitution towards the end of the 30-day period allowed in law to give the commission ample time to prepare the new voters’ register.
IIEC Chairman Issack Hassan told Capital News that the numbers will be higher in view of the last minute rush this week.
“We have definitely over seven million voters as per last week. This week there will be higher numbers,” he said.
The IIEC has been optimistic that the registration will surpass the initial expectations of 10 million Kenyans registering for the referendum.
Last week it introduced door-to-door voter registration to counter voter apathy.
Since the introduction, Nairobi Regional Elections Coordinator Ruth Kulundu said Nairobi had realised a remarkable increase of new voters.
“I am very happy that when we started the door-to-door (registration), many more people have come to register, we have been moving to public places and several buildings within the Central Business District,” she said.
In view of encouraging many Kenyans to register, IIEC has been working late in the evenings including the weekends to allow people to register.
It also allowed people to register anywhere since the referendum will is not about electing Members of Parliament.
That has saved many Kenyans from traveling to their home districts to register since after the referendum people will be allowed to transfer their cards to their constituencies of choice.
It has also been involved in active civic education to especially persuade those who were reluctant to register.
Despite challenges of heavy rains and flooding in some areas, IIEC flew materials and its staff to ensure the exercise continued.
But convincing internally displaced persons to register has been a challenge although education and involvement of various groups has drastically convinced most of them otherwise.
Introduction of Electronic Voter Registration in 18 constituencies has also boosted the interest of Kenyans registering.
Mr Hassan hoped it will be possible to roll it out to the rest of the country in view of the 2012 general election.
EVR will end on May 22 while the manual registration will end on May 5.
Mr Hassan appealed to the Attorney General to publish the draft Constitution towards the end of the 30-day period allowed in law to give the commission ample time to prepare the new voters’ register.
CONDITIONS
Three MPs on Monday said they were willing to abandon their “No” campaign if the contentious issues in the proposed constitution are presented to the public as an appendix.
Mr Mithika Linturi, Mr Isaac Ruto, and Mr Chris Okemo said isolating the clauses in the draft for a separate vote would end the stalemate.
They said that although they were anxious for the country to get a new constitution, they were not ready to allow a flawed document to be “imposed” on the public.
“Kenyans should be given a chance to vote on the contentious issues by presenting them as an addendum to the draft at the referendum. We are ready to support the isolation of contentious issues for Kenyans to make a decision,” said Mr Linturi.
The Igembe South MP said the issues, namely land, abortion, and the kadhi’s courts, should have been resolved by Parliament before the draft was handed over to the Attorney General.
Mr Ruto accused some leaders he did not name of blocking the presentation of the contentious issues to the voters. Mr Okemo said since Parliament had failed in its role of fine-tuning the draft constitution, the public should have the opportunity to give a final verdict.
The three were echoing last week’s proposal by Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta for a multi-choice referendum in which contentious issues were presented as an addendum to the draft.
Mr Kenyatta, who is also the Finance minister, said this would make the draft more acceptable. The proposal means that Kenyans would vote on the draft constitution and cast a separate vote on abortion, land, and kadhi’s courts.
Meanwhile, Higher Education minister William Ruto has insisted on a No vote, saying the contested issues be resolved before a referendum.
Speaking in his first official function since the Cabinet reshuffle that moved him from Agriculture to Higher Education last week, Mr Ruto on Monday asked fellow leaders to muster the courage and iron out the issues now.
“That is how we are going to build a stable and peaceful nation, by solving immediate problems not postponing them.”
He was addressing 200 students who won university scholarships from Equity Bank after they came top of their districts at last year’s Form Four exams.
Mr Mithika Linturi, Mr Isaac Ruto, and Mr Chris Okemo said isolating the clauses in the draft for a separate vote would end the stalemate.
They said that although they were anxious for the country to get a new constitution, they were not ready to allow a flawed document to be “imposed” on the public.
“Kenyans should be given a chance to vote on the contentious issues by presenting them as an addendum to the draft at the referendum. We are ready to support the isolation of contentious issues for Kenyans to make a decision,” said Mr Linturi.
The Igembe South MP said the issues, namely land, abortion, and the kadhi’s courts, should have been resolved by Parliament before the draft was handed over to the Attorney General.
Mr Ruto accused some leaders he did not name of blocking the presentation of the contentious issues to the voters. Mr Okemo said since Parliament had failed in its role of fine-tuning the draft constitution, the public should have the opportunity to give a final verdict.
The three were echoing last week’s proposal by Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta for a multi-choice referendum in which contentious issues were presented as an addendum to the draft.
Mr Kenyatta, who is also the Finance minister, said this would make the draft more acceptable. The proposal means that Kenyans would vote on the draft constitution and cast a separate vote on abortion, land, and kadhi’s courts.
Meanwhile, Higher Education minister William Ruto has insisted on a No vote, saying the contested issues be resolved before a referendum.
Speaking in his first official function since the Cabinet reshuffle that moved him from Agriculture to Higher Education last week, Mr Ruto on Monday asked fellow leaders to muster the courage and iron out the issues now.
“That is how we are going to build a stable and peaceful nation, by solving immediate problems not postponing them.”
He was addressing 200 students who won university scholarships from Equity Bank after they came top of their districts at last year’s Form Four exams.
APOLOGY
Two Kiss 100 radio presenters on Monday apologised in court for discussing the election petition filed against Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru while it was pending.
Bishop Wanjiru, who is also Housing assistant minister, emotionally accepted the apology from Caroline Mutoko and Felix Odiwor, aka Mzee Jalang’o.
The two had been summoned to court by Justice Kihara Kariuki after discussing the petition in their morning show on April 19.
Mutoko also wrote an article on the same day, which made it appear as if Bishop Wanjiru had lost the petition.
“Madam, I am really sorry. You know, I admire you and never meant to hurt you. It was not my intention to disparage your name,” said Mutoko.
While reprimanding the two, Justice Kariuki said that in the spirit of forgiveness, he believed that Bishop Wanjiru accepted the apology.
Mr Justice Kariuki agreed with Bishop Wanjiru that they “had crossed the line” and made his court appear theatrical.
“I believe in the freedom of the press … but that freedom comes with a responsibility,” said the judge.
Bishop Wanjiru, who is also Housing assistant minister, emotionally accepted the apology from Caroline Mutoko and Felix Odiwor, aka Mzee Jalang’o.
The two had been summoned to court by Justice Kihara Kariuki after discussing the petition in their morning show on April 19.
Mutoko also wrote an article on the same day, which made it appear as if Bishop Wanjiru had lost the petition.
“Madam, I am really sorry. You know, I admire you and never meant to hurt you. It was not my intention to disparage your name,” said Mutoko.
While reprimanding the two, Justice Kariuki said that in the spirit of forgiveness, he believed that Bishop Wanjiru accepted the apology.
Mr Justice Kariuki agreed with Bishop Wanjiru that they “had crossed the line” and made his court appear theatrical.
“I believe in the freedom of the press … but that freedom comes with a responsibility,” said the judge.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Higher Education Minister William Ruto took up his new role, promising he will not be intimidated into changing his stand against the Proposed Constitution.
In a thinly-veiled response to his ‘demotion’ from the plum Agriculture portfolio, Mr Ruto said he would never join the ‘Yes’ camp.
"I could not find myself in a better place than here," said Ruto as he addressed 200 secondary school graduates who are beneficiaries of a Sh140 million Equity Bank scholarship.
"The country is looking up to you to produce the next generation of leaders. For a very long, time Kenya’s leadership has been full of finger-pointing leaders, always looking for scapegoats and generally ‘Yes’ people. Kenya needs leaders who have courage to sometimes say ‘No’, leaders brave enough to look for the alternative view," Ruto said.
Education Minister Sam Ongeri said: "My friend and colleague Ruto addressed secondary school student leaders a few weeks ago at Bomas... little did he know he was to be moved to Higher Education. Brother, take courage, that was a premonition of better things to come."
Quit ODM
Meanwhile, six MPs have asked Ruto to respect Prime Minister Raila Odinga or quit the party.
Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo and Nyatike MP Edick Anyanga, Edwin Yinda (Alego/Usonga), Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu Town East) and Pollyns Ochieng (Nyakach) criticised Ruto for declaring Raila his enemy number one. Ruto made the statements days after he was moved from Agriculture to Higher Education ministry in a mini reshuffle.
"Ruto should have been sacked instead of being moved to a less powerful ministry," said Mr Midiwo.
Speaking separately, the leaders said the Prime Minister was too lenient on Ruto who the said had declared war on the party leadership.
"ODM allows democracy to prevail but we should not allow some leaders to take advantage to show disrespect and undermine party’s leaders," said Mr Anyanga.
In a thinly-veiled response to his ‘demotion’ from the plum Agriculture portfolio, Mr Ruto said he would never join the ‘Yes’ camp.
"I could not find myself in a better place than here," said Ruto as he addressed 200 secondary school graduates who are beneficiaries of a Sh140 million Equity Bank scholarship.
"The country is looking up to you to produce the next generation of leaders. For a very long, time Kenya’s leadership has been full of finger-pointing leaders, always looking for scapegoats and generally ‘Yes’ people. Kenya needs leaders who have courage to sometimes say ‘No’, leaders brave enough to look for the alternative view," Ruto said.
Education Minister Sam Ongeri said: "My friend and colleague Ruto addressed secondary school student leaders a few weeks ago at Bomas... little did he know he was to be moved to Higher Education. Brother, take courage, that was a premonition of better things to come."
Quit ODM
Meanwhile, six MPs have asked Ruto to respect Prime Minister Raila Odinga or quit the party.
Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo and Nyatike MP Edick Anyanga, Edwin Yinda (Alego/Usonga), Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu Town East) and Pollyns Ochieng (Nyakach) criticised Ruto for declaring Raila his enemy number one. Ruto made the statements days after he was moved from Agriculture to Higher Education ministry in a mini reshuffle.
"Ruto should have been sacked instead of being moved to a less powerful ministry," said Mr Midiwo.
Speaking separately, the leaders said the Prime Minister was too lenient on Ruto who the said had declared war on the party leadership.
"ODM allows democracy to prevail but we should not allow some leaders to take advantage to show disrespect and undermine party’s leaders," said Mr Anyanga.
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