KNA002
Yes Team Defended Over Claims
Nairobi, 16th July 2010 By Naliston Kibuthu
A civil society group today lashed out at the No campaign team for claiming that the US government is rooting for Yes in the forthcoming referendum and has been supporting the Yes team financially.
International Center for Policy and Conflict Executive Director Ndung’u Wanaina said the Yes team has not received any funds from the US government.
Speaking while releasing a report on the proposed constitution, Wanaina challenged the No team to provide evidence to support their claims.
In the past few days the No team lead by High Education Minster William Ruto has been accusing the Yes side of receiving financial support from US government through Ambassador Michael Rannerberger.
On MPs pay hike, Wainaina said that MPs do not deserve salary increment. He said that it is civil servants who promptly pay taxes whose their meager salaries should be increased.
The report analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed constitution and outlines the benefits Kenyans will reap if it is passed at the referendum.
Wainaina said the proposed constitution is a key to introducing crucial institutional, electoral reforms and starting a genuine national process of reconstruction, reconciliation and social cohesion.
“We are on the verge of realizing the fruit of our struggle to democratize our country and we cannot accord those who have erected road blocks to disrupt the completion of the constitutional reforms,’ he said
He added that it is necessary to get a new constitutional dispensation in order to begin in earnest the genuine national restoration and reconciliation.
Wainaina urged Kenyans and international friends to work with the Committee of Experts (CoE) and the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) in carrying out effective civic and voter education to ensure productive and peaceful referendum.
The report singled out some of the weaknesses of the proposed law as the retaining of the presidential system though it has check and balances and the limited role of the senate of addressing issues affecting counties and presidential impeachment.
He said that they are working in collaboration with IIEC and CoE to monitor and prevent hate speeches to avoid the recurrence of 2007 post election violence.
Wainaina further urged the religious and political leaders to exercise restraint in their political rhetoric in order to build the necessary bridges for uniting the country towards and after referendum
Ends/Muoka
Yes Team Defended Over Claims
Nairobi, 16th July 2010 By Naliston Kibuthu
A civil society group today lashed out at the No campaign team for claiming that the US government is rooting for Yes in the forthcoming referendum and has been supporting the Yes team financially.
International Center for Policy and Conflict Executive Director Ndung’u Wanaina said the Yes team has not received any funds from the US government.
Speaking while releasing a report on the proposed constitution, Wanaina challenged the No team to provide evidence to support their claims.
In the past few days the No team lead by High Education Minster William Ruto has been accusing the Yes side of receiving financial support from US government through Ambassador Michael Rannerberger.
On MPs pay hike, Wainaina said that MPs do not deserve salary increment. He said that it is civil servants who promptly pay taxes whose their meager salaries should be increased.
The report analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed constitution and outlines the benefits Kenyans will reap if it is passed at the referendum.
Wainaina said the proposed constitution is a key to introducing crucial institutional, electoral reforms and starting a genuine national process of reconstruction, reconciliation and social cohesion.
“We are on the verge of realizing the fruit of our struggle to democratize our country and we cannot accord those who have erected road blocks to disrupt the completion of the constitutional reforms,’ he said
He added that it is necessary to get a new constitutional dispensation in order to begin in earnest the genuine national restoration and reconciliation.
Wainaina urged Kenyans and international friends to work with the Committee of Experts (CoE) and the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) in carrying out effective civic and voter education to ensure productive and peaceful referendum.
The report singled out some of the weaknesses of the proposed law as the retaining of the presidential system though it has check and balances and the limited role of the senate of addressing issues affecting counties and presidential impeachment.
He said that they are working in collaboration with IIEC and CoE to monitor and prevent hate speeches to avoid the recurrence of 2007 post election violence.
Wainaina further urged the religious and political leaders to exercise restraint in their political rhetoric in order to build the necessary bridges for uniting the country towards and after referendum
Ends/Muoka
