Let’s end disinformation and scare mongering directed at Muslims

By Kamotho Waiganjo

The debate on the Proposed Constitution may look like a heavy cloud hanging over the nation. Like all clouds however, it has a silver lining. On previous occasions when we have debated draft constitutions, the opinions on the drafts have been defined by political affiliation rather than the issues at stake.

In 2003 and 2005, the differences between the various proponents of the Bomas and Referendum drafts were purely political and the merits and demerits of the draft were never seriously interrogated. Due to the nature of our political dynamics, the current debate is issue driven. Naturally there are persons who are purporting to be articulating ideological positions whilst what is driving them is raw politics, with an eye on the 2012 elections. No wonder some politicians are saying different things about the draft depending on the audience. By and large however, the positions raised by the No proponents revolve around what the church considers to be ethical and justice questions while the politicians rejecting the draft are raising issues on the adequacy of the proposed devolution structure and on the implications of the Land Chapter.

In this spirit of issue-driven debate it is critical we be on the lookout for devious misinformation for or against the draft. Already some significant amount of disinformation is being peddled about the draft. This week I heard no lesser than a Cabinet Minister on a popular FM station averring, without any hesitation, that under the draft, the Government was permitted to compulsorily acquire private land without compensation. Callers into the radio station were in shock and expressed their gratitude to the Minister for alerting them to this heinous provision. Those familiar with the draft know the right to property is protected not just in the Land Chapter but in the Bill of Rights. Such misinformation, which will increase the closer we get to the referendum, demands sustained and objective civic education so that Kenyans will vote on the basis of a fair presentation of the document rather than on devious untruths.

Before I point out the other set of misinformation that we must beware, let me declare that I am a born again Christian fully committed to the God of the Bible and fully aware of the Christian desire to evangelise the world. Even where I disagree with the Church’s sentiments, I see where they are coming from. But I am ashamed at the scare mongering that is being directed to Muslims especially in the electronic media. This is more disconcerting when it is clothed in religious garb. Some of the allegations, including those that liken the Kadhi courts to an Islamic takeover, diminish the merit of the churches’ arguments on this matter, insult the intelligence of Kenyans and diminish the God under whose name they purport to be issued.

Fortunately, they are not being broadcast by the mainline churches but by fringe groupings whose agenda is at best suspect. To those who are casually passing on this scaremongering, thinking it harmless, I say shame on you. However agitated we may feel on a matter, we owe it to ourselves and the God we serve to make our point with decorum, with utmost grace, in love.

The referendum that we are about to go through is by far one of the most critical turning points in the journey to a new Kenya. Destiny has placed on us an onerous responsibility of determining the future of this country on the basis of our vote.

But long after the vote, whether the Nays or the Ayes will have it, all of us, whether Muslims or Christians, agnostics or atheists will still have to live together in this country that God has granted us as an inheritance.

—The writer is an advocate of the High Court.

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