Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Fides Service) - Kenya is living today 21 November a crucial day in its political history. Eleven million Kenyans are called to decide with a referendum whether to approve or reject a draft constitution which has divided the country and the government.
In July parties allied with President Mwai Kibaki amended the proposed law drafted by the Constitutional Conference comprising members of the government, members of parliament and representatives of civil society. The first draft envisaged the transformation of Kenya from a presidential republic to a parliamentary republic in which the president has only powers of control. The draft created the figure of a Premier - so far not foreseen - who would in fact govern the country. The amendment presented by the President’s allies modified the project putting power mainly back in the hands of the president and actually re-introducing a presidential constitution.
The amendment split the government with a ‘yes’ group led by President Kibaki and 25 ministers, and a ‘no’ led by the minister for Infrastructures and Roads Raila Odinga, and three other ministers.
Tensions within the government led to the suspension of meetings in fact the government has not met since July. In recent months there have been demonstrations and clashes in which people were killed and injured.
The battle stems from the fact that the Liberal Democratic Party led by Raila Odinga and the Kenya National Alliance Party led by Kibaki formed an alliance with the main objective of winning the elections in December 2002. On the basis of this electoral agreement the Rainbow coalition was launched with a programme to amend the constitution to create a parliamentary republic with a strong prime minister, indicated as Raila Odinga a strong personality but his Luo ethnic origin would never open the doors to the presidency in Kenya. In December 2002 the Rainbow coalition won the elections after the government of Kanu (Kenya African National Union) in power since independence and 24 years of rule by President Daniel Arap Moi.
Later however President Kibaki changed his position and supported the move to maintain the presidential republic. Now it is up to the voters who have been encouraged by the Catholic Bishops to shoulder their responsibilities, reflect on the information and vote with a freely made decision (see Fides 14 November 2005). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/11/2005 righe 39 parole 442)
