ODM ministers, MP differ over Proposed Constitution

By Peter Mutai

Four Cabinet ministers differed sharply with an MP over the Proposed Constitution at a funeral in Kuresoi District.

The leaders drawn from the Orange Democratic Movement used the funeral to campaign for the proposed law.

Kuresoi MP Zakayo Cheruiyot found himself a lone ranger when he chose the forum to campaign against the Proposed Constitution that the Attorney General published on Thursday.

Industrialisation Minister Henry Kosgey led his colleagues in the Cabinet in castigating politicians spearheading the ‘No’ campaign.

Kosgey, who is also the ODM national chairman, accused the politicians of misleading the Kalenjin.

But a defiant Cheruiyot said he would not be cowed to stop campaigning against the draft.

"I read the draft and it is not good. I say no to it and call on the locals to reject it at the referendum. We had called for some areas to be amended before taking it to referendum, but the AG has already published it," he said.

Kosgey took issue with the MP for allegedly misleading the community, saying the public should be given time to read and understand the draft to enable them make informed decisions. "We do not want leaders who take advantage of the Kalenjin community who have not read the draft by using propaganda and falsehood in campaigning for the rejection of the draft for their selfish political interest," he said.

The leaders met at the burial of Andrew Kipkosgey Bett, a brother of Roads Minister Franklin Bett at his Jogoo farm home in Kuresoi constituency, near Total trading centre.

Cabinet ministers Sally Kosgei (Agriculture), Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o (Planning), Bett, Home Affairs Assistant Minister Beatrice Kones and Energy Assistant Minister Magerer Langat were also present.

MPs Joyce Laboso (Sotik) and ODM Nominated MP Musa Sirma and former MPs Moses Cheboi, Joshua Toro and Paul Sang were also present.

Bett claimed influential landowners were using politicians from the region to campaign against the draft.

He said the landlords were protecting their property at the expense of the local community.

Propaganda and falsehood

"Let us tell ourselves the truth on the Proposed Constitution and we want people who are talking the truth. Using propaganda and falsehood will not help us but we risk putting ourselves into isolation," he said.

"The Proposed Constitution is a good document and we want our people to be given time to read and understand it to make informed choices at the referendum," the Agriculture minister said.

Kones and Laboso urged Kenyans who have not obtained voters’ cards to register before the deadline tomorrow.

"We want those who will take part in the civic education to use facts as it is stated on the draft and the elderly should use their children and those employed to educate them well," Kones added.

Cheruyot is among those named in the Ndung’u Land Report as owning huge chunks that were obtained irregularly.