Central, South Rift residents give laws a resounding ‘no’

By Standard Team

Voters in the South and parts of Central Rift have overwhelmingly rejected the new constitution.

Provisional results have also sent cold shivers down the spines of ‘Yes’ MPs as the 2012 General Election approaches.

Of the 23 constituencies in the two regions, eight voted for the new laws, while the rest gave the draft the ‘Red’ card.

Former President Moi said the resounding defeat of the document in the Rift Valley was a matter of great concern.

Some MPs who campaigned for the draft dismissed the notion the results would reflect in the 2012 polls.

Sotik MP Joyce Laboso said the outcome of the referendum has nothing to do with the 2012 elections.

"Our development record will stand when it comes to the 2012 polls. Voters are wise and they know what to do when the time comes," she said yesterday.

Bought lies?

Majority of voters in Chepalungu, Molo, Nakuru town, and Rongai, Subukia, Naivasha, Narok North and Samburu West constituencies voted for the proposed laws.

Chepalungu and Narok North were the only constituencies that had a ‘Yes’ win in the South Rift region.

Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchella, who was in the ‘Yes’ camp, blamed the lies peddled by the ‘No’ camp for the ‘No’ defeat in his constituency.

"Our constituents bought the lies told by the ‘No’ team, who told voters that my reason for supporting the new constitution was a Cabinet position," he said.

Kipkelion MP Magerer Langat who was pushing for the draft said the ‘Yes’ team found it difficult to make inroads into the region since the ground was hostile to them.

Kericho Mayor John Kauria said locals voted against the document for fear of losing land and taxes being imposed on land.

"We voted as a bloc to reject the document due to the controversial land chapter," he said.

Sports Minister Helen Sambili said she would not comment on the results until after the IIEC released the official results.

Meanwhile, Subukia MP Nelson Gaichuhie thanked his constituents for supporting the new constitution. "We wanted this law to pass and we are glad results show we are winning," he said.

He asked the constituents to continue maintaining peace even after the final results are released.

Former area MP Koigi Wamwere said he was waiting for the final tally.

Nakuru Town MP Lee Kinyanjui welcomed the ‘Yes’ win and hoped the new constitution will serve Kenyans well.

— Reports by Steve Mkawale, Peter Mutai, Leonard Korir and Stella Mwangi