By Phares Mutembei, Philip Mwakio and Gerald Gichura
The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) has condemned Sunday’s grenade attack in Nairobi, terming it retrogressive and barbaric.
The council called for speedy investigation into the Sunday’s attack to bring the perpetrators to book.
"The incident at Uhuru Park is a criminal act and should be investigated. Those Kenyans who congregated at Uhuru Park had all the rights not only to fill the ground but to express their opinions," said Supkem Secretary-General Al-Haj Adan Wachu.
Mr Wachu said Kenyans had the right to hold ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ campaigns.
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"It is important to avoid chaos in the run-up to the referendum," Wachu said.
Noting that Muslims occupy both sides of the divide, Wachu, flanked by other Supkem leaders, sent a message of condolence to affected families.
He appealed for sobriety as the political class and religious leaders crisscross the country campaigning for and against the proposed document.
Other Muslim leaders in Mombasa condemned the incident and called for speedy investigation.
Addressing a Press conference, the Kenya National Muslim Advisory Council (Kenmac) National Chairman Juma Ngao demanded that the Government takes swift action over the incident. "It is a major drawback to democratic progress," Ngao said.
He said the Government ought to ensure its citizens are free to conduct their affairs. "The incident might scare Kenyans from exercising their democratic rights to vote for or against the draft constitution," said Sheikh Ngao.
He called on President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to constitute a Cabinet sub-committee to investigate the incident.
He asked Government to foot victims’ bills for burial and treatment.
