NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 27- Christian lawyers have faulted the proposed new constitution over the high thresholds it has placed on key chapters claiming they were too rigid.
The lawyers who have asked Kenyans not to sacrifice their moral values at the expense of a new law also said the amendments ought to have been done before the publication of the draft.
Chairperson of the Kenya Christian Lawyers Fellowship Ann Mbugua on Saturday said it would be difficult for Kenyans to make any changes to the proposed law as they would have to be through popular representative initiative.
"The counties will be constituted after 2012 which means for any amendment to be done, we will have to wait for 2012. Let's come to the issue like of abortion; how many children will have been killed before we decide to amend? Some people will suffer irreparable damage because of the delay of amendments," she argued.
Ms Mbugua added that the country lacked political will that would help ensure any sought amendments.
"Marshalling Parliament to amend the constitution is almost impossible. If you consider what happened in Parliament on the day they were supposed to consider the over 200 amendments then you realize we do not have the political commitment to take us through this process," she said.
Ms Mbugua who was speaking after a meeting for African Christian Lawyers also said that they (Christian lawyers) remained hopeful for a consensus on the contents of the proposed law.
"We all desire a new constitution especially because of the governance reforms it will bring but we are being forced to reject it because we have no other option. If we can still discuss these issues and resolve them then we will all get on the same boat," she said.
South African advocate Teresa Conradie also urged Kenyans not to vote for the proposed law until they were certain about its contents.
"Make sure that it will not be necessary to make amendments to the constitution very soon. The South African constitution was adopted in 1997 and 13 years later there have been no significant successful amendments. It would be naïve for Kenyans to believe that it will be easy to change things," she said.
She further said that a homegrown constitution would be the best option for Kenyans as it would effectively meet their needs.
"There are a lot of clauses in Kenya's proposed new constitution that come out of the South African constitution whose contents in turn came out of the Canadian constitution. We have found in South Africa that because our constitution was borrowed from a North American source that there are clauses we do not feel comfortable with," she cautioned.
Kenyans were also asked to remain patient and steadfast in their search for a new law.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Scramble for Matuga’s swing vote
The contest in the forthcoming by-election in Matuga has now boiled down to ethnic numbers, and the Kamba community is believed to hold the swing vote.
In the 2007 General Election, the Kamba, who live in the Shimba Hills area, gave UDM’s Kassim Tandaza, who then ran on an ODM-Kenya ticket, 6,000 votes.
And the entry of Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Water minister Charity Ngilu on opposite sides of the campaign is likely to divide the vote in the area where Mr Tandaza was supposed to benefit.
Also the entry of Mutula Isaac Masila, a Kamba, has not made things any easier.
The Vice-President is supporting the PNU candidate, Chirau Ali Mwakwere, while Mrs Ngilu is backing Mr Mwakwere’s archrival Hassan Mwanyoha of ODM.
Two-horse race
Initially, the Matuga contest was deemed a two-horse race between Mr Mwakwere and Mr Mwanyoha. Not any more, according to political analysts who have been monitoring the turn of events there. The candidates are bracing for a tight race.
The lessons from South Mugirango, where the big parties lost to Ford People, have energised Mr Tandaza and Labour Party of Kenya’s Masila as the four candidates and their teams work out what they consider winning strategies.
“There is a significant portion of voters who are dying to retain the flag in the constituency and cannot be swayed,” said Peter Ahenda, the coordinator of Kwale Human Rights Network.
Kwuyiza Bendera Yelhu (let’s return our flag) is the campaign slogan for the PNU side, in reference to the ministerial position that Mr Mwakwere held before he was ousted following an election petition.
Mr Mwanyoha, on the other hand, is capitalising on a statement attributed to Mr Mwakwere when he was the Transport minister that pedestrians who use the ferries would be required to pay for the services, which did not go down well with the constituents. Only motorists using the ferries pay.
A 2007 parliamentary candidate, Mr Nicholas Zani, said the scenario in Shimba Hills is different compared to 2007.
Respected a lot
“Those votes (in Shimba Hills) can go either way because Ngilu is also respected a lot because of water projects that have been initiated there through her ministry. And I would not be surprised if Tandaza failed to win in that particular area,” Mr Zani told the Sunday Nation.
“We expected Shimba Hills area to be a swing vote in the Mwakwere against Mwanyoha battle, but the entry of the two (Mr Tandaza and Mr Masila) has complicated things for PNU and ODM, and especially Mwakwere who had banked on Kalonzo Musyoka to deliver those votes to him,” said Mr Ahenda.
Mr Ahenda predicts that the by-election will be too close to call despite the fact that Mr Mwakwere, who lost the seat after a successful petition by a voter, Juma Mwakesi, had a head-start and started campaigns early.
Mr Mwakwere has a good footing in the race, thanks to his well-oiled campaign machinery and a network of village campaign committees. But the campaigns are intensifying with allegations from both PNU and ODM that there are plans to rig the elections.
Names misspelt
Last week, five ODM legislators from the Coast alleged that there were more than 13,000 voters whose names had been misspelt, listed under the wrong polling stations or missing from the voters’ register in Matuga.
They accused the Interim Independent Electoral Commission of deliberately creating the errors to disenfranchise voters.
The Mwakwere team also complained that more than 5,000 voters in his stronghold were wrongly registered.
“The ODM campaign committee in Matuga has unearthed well designed plans to rig the election,” Magarini MP and East African Community minister Amason Kingi said.
In the 2007 General Election, the Kamba, who live in the Shimba Hills area, gave UDM’s Kassim Tandaza, who then ran on an ODM-Kenya ticket, 6,000 votes.
And the entry of Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Water minister Charity Ngilu on opposite sides of the campaign is likely to divide the vote in the area where Mr Tandaza was supposed to benefit.
Also the entry of Mutula Isaac Masila, a Kamba, has not made things any easier.
The Vice-President is supporting the PNU candidate, Chirau Ali Mwakwere, while Mrs Ngilu is backing Mr Mwakwere’s archrival Hassan Mwanyoha of ODM.
Two-horse race
Initially, the Matuga contest was deemed a two-horse race between Mr Mwakwere and Mr Mwanyoha. Not any more, according to political analysts who have been monitoring the turn of events there. The candidates are bracing for a tight race.
The lessons from South Mugirango, where the big parties lost to Ford People, have energised Mr Tandaza and Labour Party of Kenya’s Masila as the four candidates and their teams work out what they consider winning strategies.
“There is a significant portion of voters who are dying to retain the flag in the constituency and cannot be swayed,” said Peter Ahenda, the coordinator of Kwale Human Rights Network.
Kwuyiza Bendera Yelhu (let’s return our flag) is the campaign slogan for the PNU side, in reference to the ministerial position that Mr Mwakwere held before he was ousted following an election petition.
Mr Mwanyoha, on the other hand, is capitalising on a statement attributed to Mr Mwakwere when he was the Transport minister that pedestrians who use the ferries would be required to pay for the services, which did not go down well with the constituents. Only motorists using the ferries pay.
A 2007 parliamentary candidate, Mr Nicholas Zani, said the scenario in Shimba Hills is different compared to 2007.
Respected a lot
“Those votes (in Shimba Hills) can go either way because Ngilu is also respected a lot because of water projects that have been initiated there through her ministry. And I would not be surprised if Tandaza failed to win in that particular area,” Mr Zani told the Sunday Nation.
“We expected Shimba Hills area to be a swing vote in the Mwakwere against Mwanyoha battle, but the entry of the two (Mr Tandaza and Mr Masila) has complicated things for PNU and ODM, and especially Mwakwere who had banked on Kalonzo Musyoka to deliver those votes to him,” said Mr Ahenda.
Mr Ahenda predicts that the by-election will be too close to call despite the fact that Mr Mwakwere, who lost the seat after a successful petition by a voter, Juma Mwakesi, had a head-start and started campaigns early.
Mr Mwakwere has a good footing in the race, thanks to his well-oiled campaign machinery and a network of village campaign committees. But the campaigns are intensifying with allegations from both PNU and ODM that there are plans to rig the elections.
Names misspelt
Last week, five ODM legislators from the Coast alleged that there were more than 13,000 voters whose names had been misspelt, listed under the wrong polling stations or missing from the voters’ register in Matuga.
They accused the Interim Independent Electoral Commission of deliberately creating the errors to disenfranchise voters.
The Mwakwere team also complained that more than 5,000 voters in his stronghold were wrongly registered.
“The ODM campaign committee in Matuga has unearthed well designed plans to rig the election,” Magarini MP and East African Community minister Amason Kingi said.
Forget the Draft; it’s fierce battle for 2012
CLIP
Key politicians have turned the campaigns for and against the proposed constitution into a platform to “secure” key voting blocs in an early start for the 2012 presidential contest.
They hope to ride on the present campaigns to harness their political power which they will then use as a bargaining chip in 2012. The new moves are informed by the requirement in the proposed constitution – should it pass – that a president needs over 50 per cent of all votes cast to win the presidency.
The thinking is that those who will have won the hearts of the voters in their regional backyards can then use that as leverage to negotiate for key positions in the formation of the government after the 2012 elections.
2005 script
The strategists are reading from the 2005 script where those opposed to the proposed constitution at the time evolved into the Orange Democratic Movement that brought it head to head with incumbent President Kibaki’s PNU at the 2007 elections.
Friday’s endorsement of Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta as the de facto leader of the ‘Yes’ campaign in Central Kenya points to a reorganisation of the region’s politics ahead of 2012 in a manner unprecedented since the last General Election.
The meeting in Limuru brought together the old guard mostly viewed as President Kibaki’s lieutenants and Mr Kenyatta’s most outspoken critics.
The move may also be a major upset for other leaders from the region – long serving minister Prof George Saitoti, assistant minister Peter Kenneth and Martha Karua – who have been eyeing the Mt Kenya vote in their quest for the presidency.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka – seen as front runners in the 2012 presidential race – have also been trying to woo the Central Kenya vote. While the endorsement is supposed to largely forge unity among the Central Kenya communities ahead of the referendum, it is filled with undertones leaning towards the 2012 General Election.
On Friday, not only was Mr Kenyatta endorsed to lead the ‘Yes’ campaign but he was also given the task of uniting Central Kenya in future.
It was clear from the resolutions that the renewed friendship among Central Kenya leaders was anchored on more than a quest for a new constitution. One of the resolutions indicated; “This meeting has resolved that we are to work to secure the interests of our people into the future”.
Former Siakago MP and a close ally of Mr Kenyatta Justin Muturi told the Sunday Nation that Central Kenya had been “groping in the dark and had now found its leader”.
“People from the region are hungry for leadership after Kibaki and they have made up their minds. And he (Mr Kenyatta) has not asked for it,” Mr Muturi said.
Ms Karua, who does not see eye to eye with Mr Kenyatta politically, dismissed the meeting and said that she did not see the reason why she would have attended. Speaking after the party’s governing council meeting in Nairobi, she said that her party was national and it did not have time to deal with regional politics.
“I was invited but did not see the need to go for that meeting. We are Narc Kenya, and I am not a regional chief but a leader of a party that is national and focused on national issues,” Ms Karua said.She added that this was the reason that the party has launched the “One Kenya ‘Yes’ Secretariat”.
Political analyst and university lecturer Prof Frank Matanga said: “The move is meant to lock out other leaders who might want to cash in on the referendum campaigns to market themselves ahead of 2012 elections from the region.”
“They might all be in the ‘Yes’ camp but they do not want other key proponents of passage of the proposed constitution to carry the day if the document is passed. Their aim is to also gain credit. To put it simply, they want to have bargaining power come 2012 and also bask in the glory of passage of the constitution to prevent Mr Odinga from being seen as the only one who made it possible,” he said.
In an interview with the Sunday Nation, Prof Matanga said some of the ‘Yes’ proponents’ unease with Mr Odinga’s leadership could have wanted to be in the ‘No’ camp but were forced to be in President Kibaki’s side after he came out forcefully in support of the document.
“They now want to be in ‘Yes’ but under their own terms knowing very well that the referendum is going to heavily influence who becomes the front runner in 2012 polls,” Prof Matanga opined.
Prof Matanga and Nairobi lawyer John Waiganjo said the politicians were not only using the referendum debate to push for either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ vote but were balkanising the country as they focused on 2012.
“Civic education got stuck a long time ago. Instead campaigns for 2012 have started before we get a new constitution. The Interim Independent Electoral Commission is even looking more committed to the constitution review than politicians which is very risky,” the lawyer said.
“Some of the initiatives like the Gema one are well meaning, but tribal. What is going on is harmonisation of interests for bargaining power,” Mr Waiganjo said. The Friday Gema meeting is likely to nip plans by some of Central MPs who had been planning to launch ‘No’ campaigns in the area in the bud as they would unlikely want to be seen to be opposed to a deal unanimously supported by local leaders.
Some of the MPs were said to be planning to decamp to ‘No’ during the group’s harambee for its activities slated for Thursday. Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando said yesterday: “We have resolved to green Central Kenya. Katiba is good for our people and for Kenya.”
In Eastern Province, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka’s allies are unhappy with Mr Odinga’s recent campaigns in the area where he received one of the VP’s fiercest critics, former MP Kalembe Ndile, to the ‘Yes’ team.
Mr Ndile has since decamped to Higher Education minister William Ruto’s ‘No’ camp citing frustrations from the VP’s confidants. Some members of Mr Musyoka’s ODM-Kenya feel that Mr Odinga has put more energy for the passage of the proposed constitution than their party leader and want the document rejected so that the Langata MP does not stand to gain.
The Ruto group, which pitched tent in Ukambani on Friday and Saturday, has been capitalising on the on-and-off relationship between Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka to win support in the region.
On Friday, Mr Ruto and Information minister Samuel Poghisio said Eastern and Rift Valley people have worked together well since the Moi era and that they should continue by voting ‘No’.
They said the heckling of Mr Musyoka during the inaugural ‘Yes’ rally at Uhuru Park, which the VP blamed on Mr Odinga’s supporters, showed he was not wanted in the ‘Yes’ team.
In Rift Valley, Mr Ruto has been working round the clock to prevent his political rivals in 2012 elections especially Mr Odinga from venturing into his South and North Rift strongholds.
“We want Raila to regret abandoning Ruto. We will make sure we complicate his bid for 2012. We want Rift Valley to be under lock and key to help our man enter State House or for bargaining purposes,” an MP in the ‘No’ group said.
Key politicians have turned the campaigns for and against the proposed constitution into a platform to “secure” key voting blocs in an early start for the 2012 presidential contest.
They hope to ride on the present campaigns to harness their political power which they will then use as a bargaining chip in 2012. The new moves are informed by the requirement in the proposed constitution – should it pass – that a president needs over 50 per cent of all votes cast to win the presidency.
The thinking is that those who will have won the hearts of the voters in their regional backyards can then use that as leverage to negotiate for key positions in the formation of the government after the 2012 elections.
2005 script
The strategists are reading from the 2005 script where those opposed to the proposed constitution at the time evolved into the Orange Democratic Movement that brought it head to head with incumbent President Kibaki’s PNU at the 2007 elections.
Friday’s endorsement of Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta as the de facto leader of the ‘Yes’ campaign in Central Kenya points to a reorganisation of the region’s politics ahead of 2012 in a manner unprecedented since the last General Election.
The meeting in Limuru brought together the old guard mostly viewed as President Kibaki’s lieutenants and Mr Kenyatta’s most outspoken critics.
The move may also be a major upset for other leaders from the region – long serving minister Prof George Saitoti, assistant minister Peter Kenneth and Martha Karua – who have been eyeing the Mt Kenya vote in their quest for the presidency.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka – seen as front runners in the 2012 presidential race – have also been trying to woo the Central Kenya vote. While the endorsement is supposed to largely forge unity among the Central Kenya communities ahead of the referendum, it is filled with undertones leaning towards the 2012 General Election.
On Friday, not only was Mr Kenyatta endorsed to lead the ‘Yes’ campaign but he was also given the task of uniting Central Kenya in future.
It was clear from the resolutions that the renewed friendship among Central Kenya leaders was anchored on more than a quest for a new constitution. One of the resolutions indicated; “This meeting has resolved that we are to work to secure the interests of our people into the future”.
Former Siakago MP and a close ally of Mr Kenyatta Justin Muturi told the Sunday Nation that Central Kenya had been “groping in the dark and had now found its leader”.
“People from the region are hungry for leadership after Kibaki and they have made up their minds. And he (Mr Kenyatta) has not asked for it,” Mr Muturi said.
Ms Karua, who does not see eye to eye with Mr Kenyatta politically, dismissed the meeting and said that she did not see the reason why she would have attended. Speaking after the party’s governing council meeting in Nairobi, she said that her party was national and it did not have time to deal with regional politics.
“I was invited but did not see the need to go for that meeting. We are Narc Kenya, and I am not a regional chief but a leader of a party that is national and focused on national issues,” Ms Karua said.She added that this was the reason that the party has launched the “One Kenya ‘Yes’ Secretariat”.
Political analyst and university lecturer Prof Frank Matanga said: “The move is meant to lock out other leaders who might want to cash in on the referendum campaigns to market themselves ahead of 2012 elections from the region.”
“They might all be in the ‘Yes’ camp but they do not want other key proponents of passage of the proposed constitution to carry the day if the document is passed. Their aim is to also gain credit. To put it simply, they want to have bargaining power come 2012 and also bask in the glory of passage of the constitution to prevent Mr Odinga from being seen as the only one who made it possible,” he said.
In an interview with the Sunday Nation, Prof Matanga said some of the ‘Yes’ proponents’ unease with Mr Odinga’s leadership could have wanted to be in the ‘No’ camp but were forced to be in President Kibaki’s side after he came out forcefully in support of the document.
“They now want to be in ‘Yes’ but under their own terms knowing very well that the referendum is going to heavily influence who becomes the front runner in 2012 polls,” Prof Matanga opined.
Prof Matanga and Nairobi lawyer John Waiganjo said the politicians were not only using the referendum debate to push for either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ vote but were balkanising the country as they focused on 2012.
“Civic education got stuck a long time ago. Instead campaigns for 2012 have started before we get a new constitution. The Interim Independent Electoral Commission is even looking more committed to the constitution review than politicians which is very risky,” the lawyer said.
“Some of the initiatives like the Gema one are well meaning, but tribal. What is going on is harmonisation of interests for bargaining power,” Mr Waiganjo said. The Friday Gema meeting is likely to nip plans by some of Central MPs who had been planning to launch ‘No’ campaigns in the area in the bud as they would unlikely want to be seen to be opposed to a deal unanimously supported by local leaders.
Some of the MPs were said to be planning to decamp to ‘No’ during the group’s harambee for its activities slated for Thursday. Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando said yesterday: “We have resolved to green Central Kenya. Katiba is good for our people and for Kenya.”
In Eastern Province, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka’s allies are unhappy with Mr Odinga’s recent campaigns in the area where he received one of the VP’s fiercest critics, former MP Kalembe Ndile, to the ‘Yes’ team.
Mr Ndile has since decamped to Higher Education minister William Ruto’s ‘No’ camp citing frustrations from the VP’s confidants. Some members of Mr Musyoka’s ODM-Kenya feel that Mr Odinga has put more energy for the passage of the proposed constitution than their party leader and want the document rejected so that the Langata MP does not stand to gain.
The Ruto group, which pitched tent in Ukambani on Friday and Saturday, has been capitalising on the on-and-off relationship between Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka to win support in the region.
On Friday, Mr Ruto and Information minister Samuel Poghisio said Eastern and Rift Valley people have worked together well since the Moi era and that they should continue by voting ‘No’.
They said the heckling of Mr Musyoka during the inaugural ‘Yes’ rally at Uhuru Park, which the VP blamed on Mr Odinga’s supporters, showed he was not wanted in the ‘Yes’ team.
In Rift Valley, Mr Ruto has been working round the clock to prevent his political rivals in 2012 elections especially Mr Odinga from venturing into his South and North Rift strongholds.
“We want Raila to regret abandoning Ruto. We will make sure we complicate his bid for 2012. We want Rift Valley to be under lock and key to help our man enter State House or for bargaining purposes,” an MP in the ‘No’ group said.
Referendum rivals play dirty politics
Surprises are in a steady flow as the Green and Red protagonists in the race for a new constitutional dispensation step up their campaigns in the hunt for votes.
Seen as continuous tactical manoeuvres to deliver a mortal blow to their opponents’ cause, both sides are pulling out tricks from their hats, as the rallies gather steam.
On Saturday, it was clear that the campaign meetings were turning into verbal attacks, with MPs in the ‘Yes’ team claiming their ‘No’ colleagues were using the Proposed Constitution for political gimmickry and cheap popularity.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga (centre), Deputy PM Musalia Mudavadi (left) and other leaders march to Muliro Gardens, Kakamega, for the ‘Yes’ campaign rally, on Saturday. Photo: Benjamin Sakwa/Standard
On the other hand, the ‘No’ side — whose several high profile members were recently arraigned in court over claims of propagating hate speech — have not been left behind.
What carried the day on Saturday was a ‘roadside declaration’ by Lands Minister James Orengo that he was revoking the title for 5,000 acres of land allegedly owned by Lugari MP and ‘No’ proponent Cyrus Jirongo.
The land, said Orengo, would immediately revert to the Government.
It followed a beaten path — Prime Minister Raila Odinga has in the past publicly declared the ‘No’ proponents were running scared of the Proposed Constitution because they had grabbed huge tracts of public land.
Speaking at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega on Saturday, the ‘Yes’ team lead by Raila, singled out Higher Education Minister William Ruto and Jirongo for vicious attack, accusing them of dishonesty.
But the ‘No’ side quickly dismissed the allegations and asked Kenyans to stop listening to what they called diversionary tactics of their opponents.
"We will continue pointing out dangerous and inappropriate clauses in the Proposed Constitution to Kenyans, as they (the ‘Yes’ group) continue peddling lies and engaging in sideshows," said Jirongo.
The Lands Minister said the ‘Jirongo land’ was in Nairobi’s Embakasi area.
"The title deed he is holding is just a mere piece of paper because the public land he grabbed has been reverted to the Government," said Orengo.
Demands accountability
But Jirongo said he could have gone to court had any of his properties been interfered with as alleged by the minister and demanded for accountability by the ‘Yes’ side.
"Let us have the names of all those who illegally acquired public land on the ‘Yes’ side published side-by-side with those of the ‘No’ side for Kenyans to know who the land grabbers are," said Jirongo.
The Lugari MP challenged Orengo to explain where he got the money to construct a mansion he is allegedly building in Ugenya.
The constitutional review has been full of surprises from the time the Parliamentary Select Committee met in Naivasha when ODM agreed to support a presidential system when many Kenyans expected the party to oppose the proposal.
Further surprises followed at the Kabete retreat, where central Kenya MPs abandoned their Rift Valley counterparts in pushing for a three-tier devolved system after holding night meetings with religious leaders from the region.
Campaigns have moved a notch higher as Church leaders will on Sunday take their ‘No’ campaigns to the Rift Valley capital of Nakuru.
Former President Moi and Higher Education Minister William Ruto will share the platform during the Afraha Stadium meeting, to campaign against the draft.
The prayer meeting has been organised by Church leaders, and is expected to bring together religious leaders and politicians opposed to the Proposed Constitution.
It comes barely a week after President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga addressed a ‘Yes’ rally at the same venue.
The meeting was initially scheduled to be held last Sunday, but was postponed following the Uhuru Park grenade attack, which left six people dead and more than 75 injured, on June 13.
And on Monday, President Kibaki and Raila are expected to co-chair a historic joint PNU and ODM parliamentary group meeting at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, to further push for the adoption of the Proposed Constitution at the August 4 referendum.
A day after accusing the ‘No’ proponents of misinterpreting the proposed law, the ‘Yes’ team on Saturday alleged that those campaigning against the proposed laws are spreading tribalism.
Speaking at Kakamega’s Muliro Gardens during the ‘Yes’ second rally in Western, Raila said members of the ‘No’ team were "confused and have lost their minds".
"When you tell the Bukusu community that they will leave Bungoma, and Luhya that they will leave Trans Nzoia with a new constitution, where do you expect them to go?" posed Raila. He said the Proposed Constitution would end tribalism that had thrived since independence.
"We will recognise each other under one nation and not through tribe, clan and community," he said.
Speakers at the rally said ‘No’ proponents did not want a new constitution, as they were seeking to protect wealth they acquired through corrupt ways.
ODM Whip Jakoyo Midiwo told Orengo not to sleep on the job and instead act on land grabbers, arguing they were the ones against the proposed law.
Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale said that with the passing of the new laws, those who acquired land illegally would be pursued by the Government. Other MPs followed a similar cue, hitting at Ruto for "using the law review to gauge his popularity ahead of the 2012 General Election".
"Ruto is the Minister for Higher Education but he is showing Kenyans how he is unable to understand the Proposed Constitution," said Shinyalu MP, Justus Kizito.
Interestingly, Ruto while addressing a rally in Kibwezi accused the ‘Yes’ team of exactly the same thing — of tying the law review to the Kibaki Succession.
"Agitation for the new law should not be tied to the 2012 elections or attempts to build careers of individuals," said Ruto.
MPs Ababu Namwamba (Budalang’i) and Chris Obure (Bobasi) alleged Ruto was in the ‘No’ camp because Raila is supporting the Proposed Constitution.
"If Raila says ‘No’ today, Ruto will be in the ‘Yes’ team tomorrow," said Obure.
The Reds made inroads into Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, and Water Minister Charity Ngilu’s Ukambani backyard to swing the vote.
In Western, the ‘Yes’ team — that had been missing in action for sometime — finally pitched tent in the area for two days concentrating in Bungoma and Kakamega towns.
Electoral officials
Campaigns went a notch higher, as the Interim Independent Electoral Commission announced all prisons would be gazetted as polling stations tomorrow.
All officers in-charge of the prisons would also be registered as electoral officials to comply with the court ruling that gave inmates the right to participate in the referendum.
"We will present ourselves at the prisons to register those who will have the necessary documentation in the 21 days provided for by the court," said commission chairman Ahmed Isaack Hassan.
On his part, Ruto traversed the Lower Ukambani region of Kambu, Makindu, Emali, Sultan Hamud, Mtito Andei, Kibwezi and Machinery towns along the busy Mombasa–Nairobi highway.
The Eldoret North MP was accompanied by, among others, Information Minister Samuel Poghisio and suspended Assistant Minister Wilfred Machage.
Seen as continuous tactical manoeuvres to deliver a mortal blow to their opponents’ cause, both sides are pulling out tricks from their hats, as the rallies gather steam.
On Saturday, it was clear that the campaign meetings were turning into verbal attacks, with MPs in the ‘Yes’ team claiming their ‘No’ colleagues were using the Proposed Constitution for political gimmickry and cheap popularity.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga (centre), Deputy PM Musalia Mudavadi (left) and other leaders march to Muliro Gardens, Kakamega, for the ‘Yes’ campaign rally, on Saturday. Photo: Benjamin Sakwa/Standard
On the other hand, the ‘No’ side — whose several high profile members were recently arraigned in court over claims of propagating hate speech — have not been left behind.
What carried the day on Saturday was a ‘roadside declaration’ by Lands Minister James Orengo that he was revoking the title for 5,000 acres of land allegedly owned by Lugari MP and ‘No’ proponent Cyrus Jirongo.
The land, said Orengo, would immediately revert to the Government.
It followed a beaten path — Prime Minister Raila Odinga has in the past publicly declared the ‘No’ proponents were running scared of the Proposed Constitution because they had grabbed huge tracts of public land.
Speaking at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega on Saturday, the ‘Yes’ team lead by Raila, singled out Higher Education Minister William Ruto and Jirongo for vicious attack, accusing them of dishonesty.
But the ‘No’ side quickly dismissed the allegations and asked Kenyans to stop listening to what they called diversionary tactics of their opponents.
"We will continue pointing out dangerous and inappropriate clauses in the Proposed Constitution to Kenyans, as they (the ‘Yes’ group) continue peddling lies and engaging in sideshows," said Jirongo.
The Lands Minister said the ‘Jirongo land’ was in Nairobi’s Embakasi area.
"The title deed he is holding is just a mere piece of paper because the public land he grabbed has been reverted to the Government," said Orengo.
Demands accountability
But Jirongo said he could have gone to court had any of his properties been interfered with as alleged by the minister and demanded for accountability by the ‘Yes’ side.
"Let us have the names of all those who illegally acquired public land on the ‘Yes’ side published side-by-side with those of the ‘No’ side for Kenyans to know who the land grabbers are," said Jirongo.
The Lugari MP challenged Orengo to explain where he got the money to construct a mansion he is allegedly building in Ugenya.
The constitutional review has been full of surprises from the time the Parliamentary Select Committee met in Naivasha when ODM agreed to support a presidential system when many Kenyans expected the party to oppose the proposal.
Further surprises followed at the Kabete retreat, where central Kenya MPs abandoned their Rift Valley counterparts in pushing for a three-tier devolved system after holding night meetings with religious leaders from the region.
Campaigns have moved a notch higher as Church leaders will on Sunday take their ‘No’ campaigns to the Rift Valley capital of Nakuru.
Former President Moi and Higher Education Minister William Ruto will share the platform during the Afraha Stadium meeting, to campaign against the draft.
The prayer meeting has been organised by Church leaders, and is expected to bring together religious leaders and politicians opposed to the Proposed Constitution.
It comes barely a week after President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga addressed a ‘Yes’ rally at the same venue.
The meeting was initially scheduled to be held last Sunday, but was postponed following the Uhuru Park grenade attack, which left six people dead and more than 75 injured, on June 13.
And on Monday, President Kibaki and Raila are expected to co-chair a historic joint PNU and ODM parliamentary group meeting at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, to further push for the adoption of the Proposed Constitution at the August 4 referendum.
A day after accusing the ‘No’ proponents of misinterpreting the proposed law, the ‘Yes’ team on Saturday alleged that those campaigning against the proposed laws are spreading tribalism.
Speaking at Kakamega’s Muliro Gardens during the ‘Yes’ second rally in Western, Raila said members of the ‘No’ team were "confused and have lost their minds".
"When you tell the Bukusu community that they will leave Bungoma, and Luhya that they will leave Trans Nzoia with a new constitution, where do you expect them to go?" posed Raila. He said the Proposed Constitution would end tribalism that had thrived since independence.
"We will recognise each other under one nation and not through tribe, clan and community," he said.
Speakers at the rally said ‘No’ proponents did not want a new constitution, as they were seeking to protect wealth they acquired through corrupt ways.
ODM Whip Jakoyo Midiwo told Orengo not to sleep on the job and instead act on land grabbers, arguing they were the ones against the proposed law.
Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale said that with the passing of the new laws, those who acquired land illegally would be pursued by the Government. Other MPs followed a similar cue, hitting at Ruto for "using the law review to gauge his popularity ahead of the 2012 General Election".
"Ruto is the Minister for Higher Education but he is showing Kenyans how he is unable to understand the Proposed Constitution," said Shinyalu MP, Justus Kizito.
Interestingly, Ruto while addressing a rally in Kibwezi accused the ‘Yes’ team of exactly the same thing — of tying the law review to the Kibaki Succession.
"Agitation for the new law should not be tied to the 2012 elections or attempts to build careers of individuals," said Ruto.
MPs Ababu Namwamba (Budalang’i) and Chris Obure (Bobasi) alleged Ruto was in the ‘No’ camp because Raila is supporting the Proposed Constitution.
"If Raila says ‘No’ today, Ruto will be in the ‘Yes’ team tomorrow," said Obure.
The Reds made inroads into Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, and Water Minister Charity Ngilu’s Ukambani backyard to swing the vote.
In Western, the ‘Yes’ team — that had been missing in action for sometime — finally pitched tent in the area for two days concentrating in Bungoma and Kakamega towns.
Electoral officials
Campaigns went a notch higher, as the Interim Independent Electoral Commission announced all prisons would be gazetted as polling stations tomorrow.
All officers in-charge of the prisons would also be registered as electoral officials to comply with the court ruling that gave inmates the right to participate in the referendum.
"We will present ourselves at the prisons to register those who will have the necessary documentation in the 21 days provided for by the court," said commission chairman Ahmed Isaack Hassan.
On his part, Ruto traversed the Lower Ukambani region of Kambu, Makindu, Emali, Sultan Hamud, Mtito Andei, Kibwezi and Machinery towns along the busy Mombasa–Nairobi highway.
The Eldoret North MP was accompanied by, among others, Information Minister Samuel Poghisio and suspended Assistant Minister Wilfred Machage.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
After 10 years, boy starts to grow again
When Peter Mwega was 13 he was easily mistaken for a three year old because he looked smaller than children his age.
In his class, he was the smallest boy and fellow pupils teased him and carried him around like a toddler. Even his younger sister looked bigger than him.
"Mwega was normal at birth in 1996, but when he was three, his suddenly stopped growing. I was worried but I didn’t know what to do. I though it was just the work of nature," Mwega’s mother, Anne Waithera, says.
For the next 10 years, Mwega did not grow even an inch.
Healthy children grow a minimum of two and a half inches each year after the age of two and before puberty.
"Neighbours whispered that my third born had been bewitched and others urged me to pray to God to ‘remove’ the affliction. I almost believed the tale especially because my other children were normal," she says.
Though 13 is usually considered an unlucky number, when Mwega turned 13, luck came his way.
Then, he was in Class Five at Nelian Academy in Githurai. A medical student from the University of Nairobi learnt about Mwega’s condition.
He reported the matter to his lecturer Lucy Mungai, one of the four local specialists — known as endocrinologists — in treating growth disorders.
"I first examined Mwega when he was 13 and his bones were of a three-year-old.
He was suffering from a severe shortage of growth hormones to stimulate muscle and bone development," says Dr Mungai.
At Sh50,000, the initial tests for Mwega were too expensive for Waithera, who is a casual worker in Government. But thanks to a fundraiser by friends and relatives, she raised the cash.
The growth hormones Mwega needed cost Sh200,000 per month. Waithera was almost giving up when a Swedish friend of Mungai offered to help.
Big enough
Since November last year when he started treatment, Mwega has grown taller.
"We hope that in several years he will be tall and big enough to escape second glances from people and to look his actual age," says Mungai.
Early this month, Mwega spoke at an international conference of paediatric endocrinologists showcasing his encouraging improvement after hormonal treatment.
"I am looking forward to becoming an engineer and help my parents. I can’t wait to be as tall as my peers," he said, as the room broke into applause.
Mungai also hopes the high prices of growth hormones will come down to make them affordable to the majority.
But the East Africa Manager of Novo Nordisk, a Danish company that supplies the hormones, said the prices are still high because the market is small.
Waithera is happy her son has found treatment for his condition. She is, however, disturbed that many children could be facing the same problem but with no forthcoming help.
Growth problems usually occur when the pituitary gland fails to function as it should. The pituitary gland distributes hormones — including the growth hormone somatotropin — to various parts of the body. Somatotropin stimulates the growth of muscle and bone in growing children.
The growth hormones
Either overproduction or underproduction of this hormone can cause growth abnormalities. The secretion of too little growth hormone by the pituitary causes dwarfism while too much causes the body to grow in an exaggerated fashion, resulting in abnormally large hands, feet and jaw.
Some cases of malfunction of the pituitary are caused by the growth of a tumour on the gland.
In some cases, growth problems are caused by the failure of the thyroid gland to function properly. The thymus gland may also be involved.
Nutrition
If the thymus gland of an infant is damaged development is retarded, and the child has a greater than normal susceptibility to infection. Nutrition can also play a significant role in the growth and development of a child.
When evaluating a child’s growth, it is the overall growth pattern, rather than size, that is important. If a child seems to "fall off" a previously steady growth curve, he or she should be evaluated for possible nutritional deficiencies and other underlying health problems.
If growth is slowed because of insufficient growth hormone production, a health care provider may prescribe growth hormone therapy.
If growth problems are the result of a tumour of the pituitary gland, surgical removal or treatment may be recommended.
In his class, he was the smallest boy and fellow pupils teased him and carried him around like a toddler. Even his younger sister looked bigger than him.
"Mwega was normal at birth in 1996, but when he was three, his suddenly stopped growing. I was worried but I didn’t know what to do. I though it was just the work of nature," Mwega’s mother, Anne Waithera, says.
For the next 10 years, Mwega did not grow even an inch.
Healthy children grow a minimum of two and a half inches each year after the age of two and before puberty.
"Neighbours whispered that my third born had been bewitched and others urged me to pray to God to ‘remove’ the affliction. I almost believed the tale especially because my other children were normal," she says.
Though 13 is usually considered an unlucky number, when Mwega turned 13, luck came his way.
Then, he was in Class Five at Nelian Academy in Githurai. A medical student from the University of Nairobi learnt about Mwega’s condition.
He reported the matter to his lecturer Lucy Mungai, one of the four local specialists — known as endocrinologists — in treating growth disorders.
"I first examined Mwega when he was 13 and his bones were of a three-year-old.
He was suffering from a severe shortage of growth hormones to stimulate muscle and bone development," says Dr Mungai.
At Sh50,000, the initial tests for Mwega were too expensive for Waithera, who is a casual worker in Government. But thanks to a fundraiser by friends and relatives, she raised the cash.
The growth hormones Mwega needed cost Sh200,000 per month. Waithera was almost giving up when a Swedish friend of Mungai offered to help.
Big enough
Since November last year when he started treatment, Mwega has grown taller.
"We hope that in several years he will be tall and big enough to escape second glances from people and to look his actual age," says Mungai.
Early this month, Mwega spoke at an international conference of paediatric endocrinologists showcasing his encouraging improvement after hormonal treatment.
"I am looking forward to becoming an engineer and help my parents. I can’t wait to be as tall as my peers," he said, as the room broke into applause.
Mungai also hopes the high prices of growth hormones will come down to make them affordable to the majority.
But the East Africa Manager of Novo Nordisk, a Danish company that supplies the hormones, said the prices are still high because the market is small.
Waithera is happy her son has found treatment for his condition. She is, however, disturbed that many children could be facing the same problem but with no forthcoming help.
Growth problems usually occur when the pituitary gland fails to function as it should. The pituitary gland distributes hormones — including the growth hormone somatotropin — to various parts of the body. Somatotropin stimulates the growth of muscle and bone in growing children.
The growth hormones
Either overproduction or underproduction of this hormone can cause growth abnormalities. The secretion of too little growth hormone by the pituitary causes dwarfism while too much causes the body to grow in an exaggerated fashion, resulting in abnormally large hands, feet and jaw.
Some cases of malfunction of the pituitary are caused by the growth of a tumour on the gland.
In some cases, growth problems are caused by the failure of the thyroid gland to function properly. The thymus gland may also be involved.
Nutrition
If the thymus gland of an infant is damaged development is retarded, and the child has a greater than normal susceptibility to infection. Nutrition can also play a significant role in the growth and development of a child.
When evaluating a child’s growth, it is the overall growth pattern, rather than size, that is important. If a child seems to "fall off" a previously steady growth curve, he or she should be evaluated for possible nutritional deficiencies and other underlying health problems.
If growth is slowed because of insufficient growth hormone production, a health care provider may prescribe growth hormone therapy.
If growth problems are the result of a tumour of the pituitary gland, surgical removal or treatment may be recommended.
No campaigns
The no campaigners led by higher Education minister William Ruto,wound up their campaigns against the August 4th referendum in the Eastern province.
Ruto said the draft law had many wanting clauses that need to be amended.
Kuria Member of Parliament Wilfred Machage who was suspended from government over hate speech claimed he was victimized for rejecting the draft.
The Independent Party leader Kalembe Ndile was among other NO legislators who addressed the public in Kibwezi.
Ndile said that inmates should not be allowed to vote.
Ruto said the draft law had many wanting clauses that need to be amended.
Kuria Member of Parliament Wilfred Machage who was suspended from government over hate speech claimed he was victimized for rejecting the draft.
The Independent Party leader Kalembe Ndile was among other NO legislators who addressed the public in Kibwezi.
Ndile said that inmates should not be allowed to vote.
READ
Lands assistant minister Gonzi Rai urged residents in Kinango district to read the proposed law, saying campaigns by politicians would not benefit them, as many politicians would only be seeking to advance their personal interests.
Shun the 'No' Leaders
Narc Kenya leadership including party chair Martha Karua and secretary general Danson Mungatana urged Kenyans to shun political leaders in the NO camp who had numerous opportunities to amend the document but failed to do so.
The party also held a national governing council where it unveiled its YES secretariat.
The party also held a national governing council where it unveiled its YES secretariat.
CONFIDENCE
Various leaders advocating for the proposed constitution continued to express their confidence in the document and its ability to sail through in the August forthcoming referendum vote.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Saturday took his campaign to Western province where he urged residents to endorse the draft law.
The PM who was accompanied by over 20 MPs attended a Yes rally at the Kakamega's Masinde Muliro gardens.
And Agriculture Minister Dr Sally Kosgei urged Kenyans to shun those peddling distorted facts on the constitution.
The Yes team has so far held several public rallies to drum up support for the document at the grass root level, as the referendum date draws near.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Saturday took his campaign to Western province where he urged residents to endorse the draft law.
The PM who was accompanied by over 20 MPs attended a Yes rally at the Kakamega's Masinde Muliro gardens.
And Agriculture Minister Dr Sally Kosgei urged Kenyans to shun those peddling distorted facts on the constitution.
The Yes team has so far held several public rallies to drum up support for the document at the grass root level, as the referendum date draws near.
Unite and Pass the Proposed Constitution
President Mwai Kibaki Saturday appealed to wananchi to unite and pass the Proposed Constitution as it will move the country to the next level in development.
President Kibaki emphasized that was no need to compete and create rivalry as Kenyans agree on most of the contents of the new constitution, adding that the few issues that were still contentious could effectively be addressed after the referendum.
President Kibaki was speaking Saturday St. Paul 's High School, Kevote in Embu during the school's golden jubilee celebrations.
Speaking during the occasion, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka commended President Kibaki for putting aside personal interests to work towards ensuring that the country gets a new constitution.
President Kibaki emphasized that was no need to compete and create rivalry as Kenyans agree on most of the contents of the new constitution, adding that the few issues that were still contentious could effectively be addressed after the referendum.
President Kibaki was speaking Saturday St. Paul 's High School, Kevote in Embu during the school's golden jubilee celebrations.
Speaking during the occasion, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka commended President Kibaki for putting aside personal interests to work towards ensuring that the country gets a new constitution.
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