|
"Small Tribes still marginalised by proposed new constitution!"
Minister alleges parallel draft in circulation
The Standard
Wednesday August 31, 2005
Caroline Mango and Kipchumba Kemei
Cabinet Minister Najib Balala yesterday alleged that the Government was printing two sets of the proposed constitution. Balala said there were two sets of the constitution at the Government printers, one with contentious issues and another without.
He said there were plans to distribute copies with popular clauses to induce a Yes vote.
The minister said having foreseen an overwhelming No vote, the Government was plotting to distribute the document without contentious issues to win popularity in various parts of the country.
However, the minister could not show the Press a copy of the document he claimed was "doctored".
"We are aware of the two sets being printed, but our No campaign is on and the indication is overwhelmingly positive," he said at his Mombasa office.
However, minister Morris Dzoro, while launching the Yes campaign, dismissed Balala’s claim as "baseless".
Dzoro, who is teaming up with his Foreign Affairs counterpart Chirau Mwakwere, declared war on Balala’s No campaign at a separate news conference.
As Balala dared Dzoro and his group to spread their affirmative campaign, Dzoro stepped up the sack-Balala call. "I have read the proposed constitution and I want Coast people not to be swayed by political puppets. I want them to read carefully before listening to hecklers. The war has just begun and we will not let outsiders decide for Coast people," Dzoro said.
But a defiant Balala said he was not shaken by calls for his sacking.
He dismissed Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, Francis Muthaura’s directive to ministers to campaign for the Yes vote.
Balala said he was answerable to Mvita people and President Kibaki and not Muthaura or any other Cabinet minister.
"People should stop taking positions as prefects and chiefs to the Cabinet. I am a minister and not a civil servant. If President Kibaki has a problem with me, he will summon me. I am not answerable to Muthaura," said Balala.
Balala and Khamisi said so far, they had held successful rallies with the former having been in Garsen constituency on Sunday to spread the No campaign.
"Coast people want a majimbo system. In the proposed constitution the devolution of power goes only to the district level and at the same time the president has power to disband the district set-up," said Balala.
Balala said Dzoro and his group were only "obeying the Government to retain their flags and other favours they hope to get."
Elsewhere, Maasai leaders want Cabinet Minister William ole Ntimama to declare his stand on the proposed new constitution.
They said the minister’s silence on such an important matter was puzzling.
Ntimama, they said, has not commented on the proposed constitution since it was published by the AG, leaving room for speculation on his stand.
"The community is confused because its senior leader and spokesperson has decided not to tell us which way to follow. He should follow other politicians and state his stand," they said.
They spoke as copies of the Bill arrived at Narok DC Hassan Farah’s office for the public to study it before November 23 referendum.
Meanwhile, Ogiek Rural Integral Project, an NGO championing for the rights of the community yesterday said the proposed constitution does not take into consideration the rights of minorities and the disadvantaged members of society.
The project’s executive director, Mr Charles Sena said in Narok that small tribes are still marginalised by larger ones and urged them to gang up and vote No in the referendum.
Elsewhere, mourners heckled North Mugirango MP Godfrey Masanya (Ford-P) when he asked them to vote Yes during the referendum.
Masanya got a rude shock as the mourners chanted "You are married to NAK! Married to NAK!" forcing him to cut short his speech.
The incident occurred during the burial of Pastor Samuel Matwere at Getengereri village, Kiabonyoru location in Masanya’s constituency.
Attempts by Masanya to calm down the crowd went unheeded as a section of them walked out on him.
The burial ceremony was at Getengereri Primary School playground and attended by among others the Seventh Day Adventist East Africa Union Secretary, Pastor Peter Bwana.
Bwana urged Kenyans to first read the draft before deciding which way to vote.
He said the church will not influence its followers to vote either way without first reading what is contained in the document.
Source: http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=28157
|
