Walter Menya

1 August 2010

Nairobi — Domestic elections observers have censured the 'Yes' team of using State resources during the campaigns saying it was advancing the culture of impunity Kenyans were keen to leave behind.

With two days to the August 4 referendum, the Elections observation group (ELOG) also accused both sides of engaging in electoral malpractices including violence, distortions and propaganda, hate speech and incitement.

Both teams have also failed to disclose the source of their campaign fund, ELOG Chairman Kennedy Masime said on Sunday while giving an evaluation of the conduct of the campaigns by the 'Yes' and 'No' teams. He was flanked by members of the Elog steering committee Peter Alingo, Mercy Njoroge and Beatrice Elachi.

The Government, Mr Masime noted, was not sincere in the management of state resources in the campaigns which gave the 'Yes' team an undue advantage over their 'No' rivals.

"Elog notes with concern the widespread abuse of incumbency and use of state resources through the referendum campaigns," the group's chairman Mr Masime told the media on Sunday.

The group was speaking ahead of the 'Yes' and 'No' teams held their final rallies at Uhuru Park and Jamhuri grounds respectively marking the end of official campaigns for or against the proposed constitution.

Uhuru grounds was hosting a first campaign rally since twin bomb blasts killed six people and injured many others during a prayer service by church leaders pushing for the rejection of the proposed laws two months ago.

Elog said the abuse of state resources has been noted in the "widespread use of government and parastatal vehicles to ferry politicians, supporters and campaign materials to and from campaign venues."

"There was also widespread participation of civil servants especially the provincial administration and permanent secretaries in the campaigns," Mr Masime said.

Elog said it had observed the civil servants involved in these campaigns not only address 'Yes' rallies but also issue cash handouts to supports at rallies.

"This could be viewed as a double breach as it (also) constitutes voter bribery," he added.

The use of civil servants in the campaigns has been a subject of controversy with the 'No' team registering its protest.

In an interview with the Sunday Nation, PM Raila Odinga defended the participation of the PSs saying that they were asked to choose which side they wanted to support.

"Only (Joseph) Lonyangapuo and (James) Ole Kiyiapi went to 'No', and they were allowed. They are actively involved. Which law have they violated? A constitution is for the entire country," the PM told the Nation in an interview ahead of his comeback rally in Kisumu on Saturday.

On violence, the group noted that while the campaigns have been largely free of widespread politically instigated violence, several confrontations between 'Yes' and 'No' supporters in various parts of the country have contributed to rising tension.

In Uriri, an aide of the area MP Cyprian Ojwang was killed when two rival 'Yes' camps clashed.

The group further recorded politicians using derogatory terms in reference to persons advocating opposing standpoints or outright hate speech and inciting words.

On funding of the campaigns, Elog said there was lack of transparency and accountability, adding to fears he campaigns could have been bankrolled by "black money from dubious personalities and interest groups."