Kenya Churches Frustrated Over New Draft Constitution

By: Burhan Hassan, Kenya

Leaders of the main Christian faiths in Kenya have expressed a deep unhappiness over the draft constitution which was recently handed to the government attorney general Amos Wako. Church leaders gathered at UFUNGAMANO House in Nairobi and told journalists that without broad agreement the new proposed constitution would be defeated at referendum.

Addressing at a news conference in Nairobi the church leaders vowed they’ll mobilize their followers to vote against the draft at the referendum if their views were ignored. The minister of justice and constitutional affairs, who is also the acting facilitator said that he has already ruled there is possibility of introducing any changes to the draft before it is presented to Kenyans at the referendum.

Mr. Kilonso showed his happiness on the opposite sides and urged those opposed to several clauses avoid divisive referendum and he called for them to meet and build a consensus.

Agricultural minister who was among top officials who expressed their sentiments suggested an amendment to the constitution of Kenya review act to change contentious clauses in the draft.

“if the government which seems not interested at our views, hurries to draft the referendum, aggrieved Kenyans will reject it” church leaders said. Christian faith in the country is rejecting sections in the new draft constitution and they are the abortion and Kadhi courts issues. The clerics objected both sections in the article 26 that allows doctors to end a pregnancy if it endangers the mother’s life or if she needs emergency treatment. Christian leaders are also opposed to the retention of the Kadhi’s courts   in the proposed constution under article 169 and 170. This issue has angered Muslim population in Kenya. According to the law of Kenya Kadhi’s court normally limits the authority to disputes over personal status, marriage, divorce, or inheritance where all parties are muslims and agree to take the case to Kadhi.

Christian leaders spoke barely two hours after the draft was handed to the attorney general Amos Wako for publication in readiness for referendum. The constitution says the attorney general should publish the draft within 30 days of receiving it from parliament but Amos Wako himself declared he would do that sooner than the expected period.

Tension is high in Kenya’s different religious groups. The president Mwai Kibaki and Primier Raila Odinga called for Unity in support for the new draft constitution as the government feels strength and confident in peacefully mediate Kenyans over the draft. The Prime Minister Raila Odinga speaking at his Treasury buildingoffice warned Kenyans “renegotiation will not bring consensus, it may even undermine the entire process” he said. Plans were also set by the prime minister to bring several parties including PNU, at the Harambee house to bring the Church on board.

International support:

The Kenyan authorities have been praised by international figures and senior diplomats for approving their new draft constitution. Diplomats urged the coalition government leaders, civil Society and religious leaders” to maintain” a positive momentum as the country heads for referendum on July.

Among respected diplomats pledged support is the US ambassador Mr. Micheal Rannerberger who has termed the move by the MS’s a successful pass over the draft and called it “overwhelmingly”

Posted by worldnews on April 12, 2010. Filed under Africa Regional News,Human Interest,Human Interest - Africa,News - Africa,Religon,WorldNewsVine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.