by Nick Oluoch and Beatrice Obwocha

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has hit out at religious leaders opposed to the inclusion of Kadhi courts in the new constitution.

Speaking in Got Kwer in Migori District, Raila said the issue of Kadhi’s courts was never controversial even in 2005 at the constitution delegates conference at Bomas of Kenya.

"The Kadhi’s courts has been in the Kenyan constitution since 1963, and it can not be removed now," said the premier.

National Council of Churches of Kenya officials at a past press conference. Photo: File/Standard

At the same time Raila said no change would be made to the provision for the courts.

He explained that the entire Kenyan constitution was based on Christian beliefs and that there was no harm in including a single clause to cater for the needs of Muslims.

Raila was speaking at fundraiser in Migori, where over Sh1 million was raised with his personal donation of Sh400,000.

He was accompanied by ministers James Orengo (Lands), Otieno Kajwang’ (Immigration), Dalmas Otieno (Public Service), and several MPs.

Earlier, efforts by Raila to bring to an end to leadership wrangles in Legio Maria Sect failed.

Three cardinals — Romanus Ongombe, Wilson Owino and Raphael Adika — are embroiled in a tussle over the papacy of the sect that has three million followers.

Raila summoned the three in front of the congregation and asked them to resolve their differences in front of their members.

However, when he rose to speak, Adika told the PM that the issues behind the leadership wrangles were deep-seated and could not be solved on a platform in a single day.

Orengo called for a speedy enactment of a new constitution, saying only then will the country start moving forward. He also called on stakeholders to reach a consensus to avoid the kind failure and hard line positions witnessed in 2005.

And as the controversy over the Kadhi’s courts continues to rage, a cleric has dismissed proposal to retain the courts in the Constitution.

Reverend Paul Mwakio of Deliverance Church in Nakuru says Kadhi’s courts should not be included in the draft constitution.

He said: "Matters of religion should not be included in governance. If the Kadhi’s court is included it would give supremacy to one religion."

Speaking to The Standard on telephone, Mwakio said on Sunday if allowed, Muslims could use it to introduce Sharia law.