SHOULD THE REFERENDUM VOTING DATE BE POST PONED...???

A Bill to stop the referendum and allow for amendments to the proposed constitution was published on Friday. The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2010 prepared by Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau seeks to amend section 47A of the constitution to postpone the referendum on the proposed constitution. “The Bill has been published. All we are trying to do is to have the proposed constitution referred to the Reference Group to propose amendments to contentious clauses. If Parliament agrees with the proposed changes, well and good but if MPs reject them, we move on with the document in its current form,” he said. Some politicians and church leaders opposed to the proposed constitution are mobilising Kenyans to reject it at the August 4 referendum. Among clauses deemed contentious are the chapters on right to life, the kadhi courts and land. President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga are leading the campaign for the document’s adoption. On Friday, Kanu politicians pledged to support the Bill. The party’s national vice-chairman, Mr Gideon Moi said it was dangerous to pass the document in its current form. Speaking in Rongai constituency on Friday, Mr Moi said as much as Kenyans wanted a new constitution, there was need to ensure that the majority of Kenyans were happy with it. ‘Return home’ At the same time, the former Baringo Central MP said plans to celebrate Kanu’s 50th anniversary had been shelved until after the referendum. Party secretary general Nick Salat urged members who deserted the party to “return home”, saying Kanu was the only party with a national outlook which would not be destroyed by infighting. He said the party had embarked on a campaign to preach peace and unify Kenyans following the post-election violence which had taught Kenyans to respect each other and live harmoniously together.