'Reds' ignore 'Green' threats, hold rally

By Standard TeamThe ‘No’ side is accusing its opponent in referendum race of titling the playing field in its favour, using State machinery but still promised its supporters the ‘Reds’ will win. Speaking in Suswa, which is in Heritage Minister William Ntimama’s Narok North Constituency, Higher Education Minister William Ruto, claimed the ‘Yes’ side had run out of ideas and had resorted to trickery. "When the gods want you to be defeated they first make you run short of ideas. That is what is happening to the ‘Yes’ team. They are now using adverts depicting ‘No’ leaders negatively, disrupting ‘No’ rallies, and even discussing ‘No’ leaders at their rallies. That is a clear sign," he said.The minister hit back at ‘Yes’ leaders saying they were continuously attacking him instead of discussing the contents of the document. He wondered why, saying neither his name nor that of former President Moi — who led the rally — was in the Proposed Constitution.The former President predicted the Government’s push for a new constitution would fail as it did in 2005, arguing sufficient consultations had not been done with the people. "Kenya is at a crossroads and the Proposed Constitution should be handled carefully. I appeal to Kenyans to reject the document since it has many errors," he said. He also said the document had serious flaws, which make it necessary to be rejected as it is. He urged ‘No’ leaders to post poll agents in all voting centres during the August 4 referendum to ensure there would be no rigging.Former President Moi addressed a rally at the historic Suswa in Narok North, yesterday, and urged the local community to reject the Proposed Constitution, saying it had many errors. [PHOTO: Solomon Talam/STANDARD]Moi also condemned the Government’s decision to use civil servants to drum up support for the Proposed Constitution, arguing it was illegal.Information Minister Samuel Poghisio claimed ‘Yes’ side was preparing to rig the referendum. "Let them rig opinion polls, hire hecklers, and use civil servants but they will not rig the referendum," he said.Former Baringo Central MP Gideon Moi explained they were not opposed to the Proposed Constitution for the sake of it. "The new law is against God’s teachings and during Judgement Day we will be asked what did you do on August 4?" said the Kanu vice-chairman.Though the rally progressed peacefully, police created a buffer zone between the ‘No’ supporters and those who turned up donning ‘Yes’ colours, to protest the holding of the rally in what they called ‘Maasai Shrine’. The rowdy mob made it clear they wanted to stop the Moi rally.The crowd, including a daughter of National Heritage Minister William ole Ntimama, Lydia Masikonde, even attempted to block helicopters carrying former President Moi and Ruto from landing. They waved ‘Yes’ placards and chanted its slogans. The rally, however, went ahead and attending were more than 10 MPs, and some Church leaders. Former President Moi condemned the ‘Yes’ supporters for interfering with their rally and took issue with police for failing to contain their opponents. Last week, Ole Ntimama had vowed he would not allow opponents of the Proposed Constitution to hold a rally at Suswa, which he described as a ‘Maasai shrine’. Ntimama’s daughter and a local ODM activist Hosea ole Nkoile said they were opposed to the rally being held at Suswa.On Tuesday, the ‘No’ team led by Ruto was heckled in Kianyaga Market in Gichugu constituency. Another violent incident occurred in Kitui where a brother of Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo, who is in the ‘No’ team, was injured.The ‘No’ team demanded a level playing field ahead of the referendum on a day President Kibaki appeared to have adopted the 2005 referendum and 2007 General Election mode when he dished out districts at campaign rallies.in favour of ‘Yes’And in Nairobi, another team of ‘No’ MPs complained the campaigns were being tilted in favour of the ‘Yes’ side because the Government had deployed civil servants to campaign for the draft.Twelve MPs led by Kiema Kilonzo (Mutito, ODM-Kenya) and David Koech (Mosop, ODM) called on the IIEC to ensure civil servants stayed off campaigns.They called on the commission to ensure that public officials do not flout the law. The legislators also want the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to stop their opponents from sponsoring what they call hate-advertisements.At a press conference at Parliament Buildings yesterday, they said IIEC should ensure the laws are complied with for the outcome of the referendum to be seen as legitimate.They showed a letter they claimed came from the Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, directing Permanent Secretaries and senior civil servants to go to their home districts to market the Proposed Constitution.In the letter, Muthaura said the PSs are expected to travel to their regions between July 12 and August 3. "Following the decision of the meeting of PSs which was approved by both His Excellency the President and the Prime Minister, you are authorised to travel to your regions between July 12 and August 3, to participate in civic education and mobilise support for the new Proposed Constitution before the referendum," states the letter.But Prime Minister Raila Odinga has defended the PSs involvement saying they, as other Kenyans, have a right to deliver a new constitution. Belgut MP, Charles Keter termed the PM’s statement as ‘hypocrisy of the first class’, adding the PM himself opposed the involvement of PSs in the 2005 campaigns.

'Reds' ignore 'Green' threats, hold rally

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'Reds' ignore 'Green' threats, hold rally

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