Today's Headlines
- Lessons and Implications of the Confirmation of Charges Against Kenya's 'Ocampo Four'
- Finance Minister Quits Over ICC Charges
- Shortage of HIV Test Kits Raises Concerns
- Living On the Edge in Turkana Region
- Ali Breaks Silence, Describes Delight At Acquittal
- Uhuru, Ruto Eligible for Presidency - CIC
- Tea Sector Posts Record Earnings in 2011
- Resettle IDPs, Urges Annan
- Uhuru, Muthaura Have Done the Right Thing
- All Displaced People Should Return Home
- Concern Raised As Parents Shun Schools in Poll Violence Hotspots
- Ruling On IEBC Hiring in February
- Country Working Towards Conditions Needed for Direct Flights to U.S.
- How ICC Claimed Kibaki's Lieutenants
- Geothermal Project to Receive Sh10 Billion Funding Boost
- Five Million to Get IDs Before Elections
- Speed Up Building Port
- Uhuru and Muthaura Did Well to Quit Posts
- A Full Plate Awaits Githae
- Clashes Continue in Moyale
- Baraza Case to Be Heard Monday
- Two Firms in Joint Venture to Drill for Oil Near Lodwar
- Exit Uhuru, Muthaura
- ICC Charges Hound Uhuru Out of Treasury
- Consumers Grow Despite Inflation
- Poor Relations Between Banks Blamed for Cash Shortages
- Fish Prices Up As Vegetable Supply Dwindles
- Consumers to Pay More for Milk and Bread As Prices Rise
- Kibaki Tasks Ex-Dar CJ to Lead Probe in Kenya
- Mombasa Port Cargo Congestion Forces Three-Month Fees Waiver
Lucas Barasa
3 August 2010
Nairobi — The hard work for Kenyans is just beginning, irrespective of which side wins Wednesday's vote.
Panellists in a live debate on NTV said both sides must engage each other to move the country forward.
"There will be a lot of work to do. We must integrate the 'Yes' and 'No' sides," National Cohesion and Integration Commission chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia said.
Dr Kibunjia said the clamour for new constitution would not end if the document was rejected on Wednesday.
"If the document is rejected, we will take a fresh look at the things we want fixed," he said.
Mr Macharia Gaitho, the chairman of the Kenya Editors Guild which organised the debate, said President Kibaki should keep his promise that contentious issues would be addressed if the proposed constitution is passed.
Higher Education minister William Ruto should also keep his word that Kenyans would have a more acceptable document by December if the 'No' side wins, Mr Gaitho said.
University of Nairobi lecturer Karuti Kanyinga, however, said if the 'Yes' side wins, action should be taken against senior politicians in the 'No' side as they could not be expected to implement a document they dislike.
At the same time, Dr Kanyinga said, a 'No' victory would be akin to a vote of no confidence in the President, Prime Minister and Vice-President, and if this happened, they should call a general election before 2012.
He said a rejection of the proposed constitution would be "very painful for Kenyans as the struggle has been long and torturous".
The panellists said they were pleased that unlike the 2005 referendum, which divided Kenyans on ethnic lines, the debate was more about land, abortion and kadhi courts.
They said the issues should be addressed fast after the referendum.
National Cohesion and Integration Commission vice-chair Mary Onyango said although the debate had been about issues, wooing voters took a regional and ethnic slant.
Former Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission deputy chair Betty Murungi said the referendum had united communities.
"It has resulted in the coming together of almost all communities," she said.
