Firm ‘No’ from Catholics as ‘Yes’ hits the ground

By Moses Njagih and Patrick Muriungi

Hardline positions on the Proposed Constitution continued to form as the Catholic Church officially decided to oppose the draft.

They did this on a day President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga drummed up support for the proposed laws in Meru and Coast.

By officially taking the ‘No’ position, the Catholic bishops left observers wondering whether the referendum would be as polarised as it was in 2005.

The Catholic bishops declared at the end of their three-day retreat in Nakuru that they would ask Kenyans to reject the document if the clauses on conditional abortion and the Kadhis’ courts are not expunged.

The bishops asked the President and the Prime Minister to issue an executive order to delete the clauses.

President Kibaki drummed up support for the draft during the start of his two-day tour of the larger Meru region.

First stab

He called on the community that has remained loyal to him since his first stab at the presidency in 1992, to support the Proposed Constitution.

Kibaki urged Kenyans to end the long wait for a new constitutional dispensation by approving the draft.

"We have been fighting for a new constitution for more than 20 years. We need to finish up and embark on other development matters," he said at Chuka town in Nithi constituency, where he landed on Friday morning. The President, who was accompanied by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, and six Cabinet ministers, said Kenyans had an opportune time to enact new laws to govern the country.

The President made stopovers in Chuka, Chogoria, Nkubu and Gakoromone.

While also supporting the Proposed Constitution, Kalonzo urged Kenyans not to polarise the campaigns like happened in the 2005 referendum, where the ‘No’ vote carried the day.

He said it was unfortunate that some leaders had started engaging in hate campaigns and even insulting those opposed to the draft, including Church leaders.

"We should not harbour hatred over the campaigns. Let us tolerate even those opposed to the draft and desist from insulting our church leaders who have openly voiced their dissatisfaction," said the VP.

The Meru leaders led by Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi promised the President they would mount a strong campaign to ensure the draft is adopted.

"The time for a new constitution is now; let us not sit on the fence and pretend that we do not know how far we have come in our search for these new set of rules," Kiraitu said.

Entourage

Others in the President’s entourage were Cabinet Ministers George Saitoti, Moses Wetangula, Franklin Bett, Joseph Nyaga, and Beth Mugo.

Also in attendance were MPs Kareke Mbiuki, Cecily Mbarire, Kilemi Mwiria, Wavinya Ndeti, Ntoitha M’Mithiaru, Alex Muiru, Lenny Kivuti, Emilio Kathuri, Cyrus Muriuki, and Mithika Linturi.

The President was making his first visit to the region that voted for him almost to a man in the 2007 General Election.

The Head of State kicked off the tour in Nithi constituency whose votes were bitterly contested by Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement. Meru leaders reminded the President of the significance of the electorate’s votes using it as bait to lobby for goodies from the Government.

Speaking on behalf of other leaders, Murungi appreciated the rewards that had been advanced to the Ameru since Kibaki clinched the presidency in 2002.

"We are a big beneficiary of your presidency as we are well represented not only in ministerial posts, but also in the Government corporations," Murungi said.

He said many development projects, notably roads and electricity, had been initiated.

Touching on succession, some of the leaders also urged the President to "show them the political path" before retires.

"We are waiting for your word and when you tell us which way to go that is the path we would follow," said Mbiuki.

However, the President steered clear of succession politics.