Kenya churches confident of referendum win

Church leaders have launched the campaign against the Proposed Constitution exuding confidence that they will marshal sufficient support to defeat it at the referendum.

The National Council of Churches of Kenya general secretary Rev Canon Peter Karanja said the Church had been at the forefront in spearheading reforms in the country since the early 1980’s and it was therefore only proper to listen to them.

“The Church spoke strongly against the rigging of the 1983 and 1988 General Election and was the strongest voice when the ruling party in 1986 adopted the insidious mlolongo (queue) voting system,” said the NCCK boss.

The Kenya Christian Church Leaders were joined at the Uhuru Park rally, dubbed National Prayer Day, by Higher Education minister William Ruto, assistant ministers Lina Jebii Kilimo and Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, 18 current MPs and several former MPs opposed to the new law.

They declared a week of prayer and fasting, a practice of self-denial to seek God’s favour, even as they asked their members to hold similar ‘prayer meetings’ in all regions of the country.

Ten reasons

In total, the church leaders cite ten reasons, which should lead the country to reject the Proposed Constitution: that it allows application of international agreements without approval by parliament, that it allows state interference with religion, that state is favouring Islam at the expense of other religions.

The clergy also allege the Proposed Constitution takes away the right to preach and evangelise, the right of Kenyans to convert from one religion to another, and that it also allows religious institutions to be infiltrated by non-believers.

Other reasons advanced by the Christian groups are that the Article 24 (4) in the chapter on Bill of Rights does not make Kenyans equal  before the law, the new law unjustly entrenches kadhi’s courts in the constitution, allows abortion and finally, it is almost impossible to amend it.

“In the current phase of reviewing the constitution, church leaders have continuously outlined concerns that would be a basis for Christians to say No,” stated Rev Karanja.

But the function, that also commissioned church leaders across the country to conduct door-to-door campaigns against the Proposed Constitution, was skipped by leaders of mainstream churches – the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church of Kenya.

Reverend Karanja, who read the keynote message from the church leaders, said the clergy would use ‘our machinery and structures’ to mobilise their followers to reject the document.

In a speech, the church leaders reiterated their intention to reject the proposed law based on the organs of review decision to ignore their proposals and secondly, the potential of the Proposed Constitution to exclude some Kenyans and favour others.

“At this time in our history, we have a chance to define and build our nation. We have a choice today, a choice whether we build a nation together in unity, or divided and in conflict,” he said.

Soldier on

Without bitterness, the Church will soldier on to entrench a constitution that ensures justice and fairness for all, he added.

“If Christians are convinced that there are provisions in the proposed constitution that undermine their practice of religion, they will stand to be counted for God,” said Rev Karanja.

He called on the Committee of Experts and the government to ensure that copies of the Proposed Constitution reach all Kenyans at the right time to enable them read and makes informed choices.

The Church also offered to help distribute copies of the document.

Although it was dubbed national prayer day, it was marked by heavy political campaigning and the launch of slogans for the No team.

Flashing red cards, amid chants of No and whistles, they put to use football symbolism to deliver their point to thousands who turned up for the event.

T-shirts, pamphlets, head straps and big banners with messages against the new law betrayed the prayer day it was meant to be. 

Red symbolised the church’s dismissal of Yes proponents as several gospel singers kept the crowd on their feet.

The campaign came just days after Attorney General Amos Wako said that there should be no rallies for or against the new law for 30 days. This time, he said, was set aside for voter education by the Committee of Experts.

No regalia

The presence of Mr Ruto and his other MPs in the No camp only underlined the mood at Uhuru Park – campaigns had officially begun. The celebrations were momentarily interrupted by University of Nairobi students who arrived in full No regalia of red t-shirts and placards with anti-Proposed Constitution messages.

Mr Ruto, who spoke on behalf of the MPs, said the reason for opposing the new law was to return the country on the path of justice and fairness, the two themes that dominated the proceedings Saturday.

“When rulers and kings disregard the leaders of the Church and speak against the unborn, it is a sign of a country that desperately needs divine intervention,” the minister said.

He said the electorate had an opportunity to stand up to ensure this country does not end up with a faulty constitution.

Mr Ruto broke ranks with the cabinet decision to back the proposed law as well as his party ODM, whose leader Prime Minister Raila Odinga is spearheading the Yes campaign.

Mr Ruto said the No team was headed for victory.

“We shall stand on the side of people who want a fair and just constitution for our motherland and I am confident God will give us victory,” said Mr Ruto.

The group had earlier held a procession along Kenyatta Avenue to the Park.

Additional reporting by Paul Juma.