Leaders told not to discriminate MPs who opposed new law

By TITUS TOO

 

Political leaders have been cautioned not to use the new constitution to discriminate their colleagues who campaigned against it in the referendum.

 

A section of clerics and leaders in the North Rift said the issue of who was for ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ should not be used as a basis to determine who should be selected to various house committees in parliament.

 

Reverend Maritim Rirei, the Eldoret Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) head of development programmes said the new constitution endorsed by Kenyans at the August 4, referendum ‘should not be used to punish others’.

 

“Members of parliament should rise above petty issues by ending wrangling over seats since the move may end up splitting Kenyans who had voted peacefully,” said Rirei.

 

Speaking in Eldoret, Rirei urged political leaders to embrace teamwork and distribute house committee seats fairly to facilitate smooth implementation of the new constitution.

splitting the country

He noted that most electorates followed on the direction taken by their leaders and that differences among parliamentarians could end up splitting the country.

 

Reverend Japhet Sugut of ACK Christian Intermediate Training Centre (CITC) Kapsabet said campaigns over the new constitution ended after the referendum and no Kenyan should be discriminated for supporting either sides.

 

Sugut also said the Church will not apologise for supporting the ‘No’ campaigns saying it had the right to give a direction to its flock.

 

A section of elders in Nandi Central led by Sylvester Chemwor called for the dissolution of parliament, if leaders fail to forget their past differences.

 

“If our MPs cannot work as a team, the parliament should be dissolved to allow Kenyans elect fresh MPs who can work for the interest of the country,” said Chemwor.