Group alleges plot to stall new laws

By David Ochami

Civil rights advocates and scholars have warned that anti-reform forces are plotting to stall implementation of the new Constitution.

They argued that traitors and anti-reformists have in the past hijacked popular struggles, including Independence in 1963.

Reverend Timothy Njoya said Kenya inherited "sham independence" in 1963 and encountered a betrayal of the reform agenda after advent of the Kibaki regime in 2002.

"The descendants of the home guards do not like this document," he said referring to collaborators with the colonial regime and their families and added that it is "up to Kenyans to appropriate the results" to end impunity and foster a new social contract based on the sovereign will of the people.

He said the new Constitution deals a definite end to "British empire" in Kenya.

Independence vision

Former Constitution of Kenya Review Commission Chairman Yash Pal Ghai said the new laws symbolise the completion of the "independence vision" and hailed its Chapter Six on leadership and integrity.

Law scholar Kiruti Kanyinga said: "We must remain vigilant or we will not realise the future of this second republic." Kanyinga said another class of anti-reformists is plotting to take over leadership.

deviant regime

Lawyer Pheroze Nowrojee accused "lazy journalists" and "reactionary" scholars of mischaracterising the history, nature and scope of the struggle for reform in Kenya and role played by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Pio Gama Pinto and Bildad Kaggia in it.

He said the Kenyatta regime was "deviant" and was not committed to the "true values of independence", which the new charter espouses.

He said the new laws "represents aspirations of Kenyans manifested over a long time" and urged Kenyans to guard against its misappropriation.

They called for a forum to dedicate the new Constitution to the memory of living and fallen heroes of the liberation struggles from colonial times to present.