PROPOSED NEW CONSTITUTION

UNFORTUNATELY, KENYANS MIGHT DEFY OUR CHURCH LEADERS!!!!
Temperatures are rising as the campaigns are getting on top gear for the August refrendum. The proponents of the new constitution are giving everything to ensure that the document goes through at the refrendum. On the other hand the "No team" are aggressively telling Kenyans to reject the document come the refrendum because they believe there are sections that must be amended before the document can pass.

Majority of kenyans from across the board seems to give a nod to the proposed new constitution, a matter that has put the christian leadership at crossroads with their flock. The country is more than ready for the long awaited constitutional dispensation and anyone who is seen to oppose the final lap of this marathon race doesnot mean well for the country.

Following the many debates hosted by the media houses,commentaries and opinions expressed by Kenyans from all walks of life, there is a clear indicator as to which direction Kenyans want to go. The issues raised by the antagonists of the proposed new constitution are not FUNDAMENTAL to many of our people. The real issues are lying in good governance and equitable distribution of resources that would change the livelihood of many starving Kenyans.

Personally am tempted to ask some few questions that seems to bog my mind. As much as Kenya is becoming a democratic state, is it in order to allow people who looted our economy to show us direction? I feel hurt when I hear former President Moi proudly say that the proposed land reforms enshrined in the "new constitution" is not good for Rift Valley region,out of the eight provinces in this country, MUST Rift Valley be treated differntly over the rest and must be they be allowed to continue protecting the past injustices that Moi's government meted on the people of Kenya? It must be remembered that it was during Moi's tenure that every project of national standing was taken to Rift Valley. The Turkwell power project, the Eldoret international airport and many others were misdirected. Not all the residents of Rift Valley were beneficiary of these malpractices and therefore it is not in order for Moi and his cronies to purport to defend the Rift Valley region. In fact they are defending their ill acquired land in the region that has left many kenyans landless. Kenyans MUST stand firm and reject any attempts by past tyrants to reintroduce they rotten influence in these present times. Attempts to divide Kenyans along imaginary boundaries that KANU used to widen the gap between the rich and the poor must be rejected. We are tired of tribalists.

Our men of the colar, have a hard task to achieve because their concerns have been watered down by self seekers from the political divide. If they really want Kenyans to accept that they are the voice of reason then they MUST reconsider their decision to oppose this "New Constitution". Due to mismanagement of our affairs todate, more kenyans are dying of hunger than abortion or kadhis courts which have been in our constitution from independence. The poor infrastructure in this country is due to CORRUPTION and not some of the issues raised. We are at crossroads because our current constitution does not deter thieves and looters from ascending to political leadership, we have a good number of people of no integrity manning our public institutions and this culture has spread to our churches. There is no fair distribution of church resources. Some regions are more favored even with the number of clergy serving them. These are the issues that we need to address. Why should we have all the good roads in certain parts of the country and not even foot paths in the northern parts of Kenya. If the new constitution seeks to address these inequities, then even the church must support this cause. We are the church and without the believers, the clergy will be nowhere. Good leaders are the ones who listen to the led. In the year 1990 or early 90s if am not wrong, the church leadership in this country stood firm and by the truth. I still remember the episcopal letter by the catholic bishops to Moi's government which stated that the PEOPLE OF KENYA were tired of Mois rule and that mutipartism could not be stopped. Since then, Kenyans have not stopped yearning for good leadership which can only be achieved by a better constitution than what we have now.

Kenyans are God fearing, we respect our religious leaders so much and therefore they should not let us down. We can explore the other avenues like repeal or amendment of the contentious clauses but only after the new constitution has gone through because there is no reverse gear. We would do better to agitate for better legislation by the Parliament on devolved govrnance so that we get good leaders from the grassroot to transform our country.GOOD LEADERSHIP is what this country needs, Inspiring leadership that will change our attitude. Something better than what we experienced immediately NARC took over leadership of this country in the year 2002. We need to restore goodwill in public leadership and the only hope is our "NEW CONSTITUTION".VOTE YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSUUUUUUU!!!!!!!
Steve Owiti