BY Dickens Wasonga
Church leaders drawn from various independent churches in Nyanza and Western province are now asking their christian followers to read the proposed constitution and vote according to their own wisdom.
Speaking to the press in Kisumu led by the chairman of the Kisumu pastors network Bishop Zephania Ouma Orao said the demand for the removal of the contentious Kadhis courts and the abortion clause has been overtaken by events and urged the NCCK to drop it.
The leaders said it was now time for the church in Kenya to begin to ask its flock to compare what is their preferred choice between the current constitution and the proposed draft.
“This demand for the removl of the Kadhis courts and the amendments on abortion clause has been overtaken by events.time to advocate for the amendment of the draft is over,its time to compare the current constitution and then go for the one which is better.” said Bishop Orao.
He said the church leadership is reminded that in a time like this they need to sound alarm to relevant organs of the state which it has done but not to be seen to be having competing interest with politicians.
The clerics added that the members of congregation were very knowledgeable and are capable of making their own informed choices and proposed that they be given the liberty to do so without being persuaded.
“We ask that there be a countrywide unbiased civic education so that every person be given opportunity to make informed decisions.”
The government refusal to listen to the church was a suicidal ruling to the draft. It was very wrong for the MPS to neglect the serious issues raised by the church on abortion and kadhi courts.
it is therefore important that the Attorney General him being the legal adviser the executive to advice this government that this is not the right way to go.
If the church leaders have expressed the concern about this document, it is not their own views. this is a clear reflection of the pure church of kenya. so the govenment should listen to the church or count the loss in terms of the millions spend on this single document.
The issues raised by Ruto, and the church are worthy listening to.Why then should the two principals say it is too late? We are not in a hurry to bring down this draft because we need a new constitution. But if the government is going to continue with it’s push for this document to go through, then unfortunate it will not see the light of the day.
This document is not meant for the politicians alone, it is for all kenyans including the church so the government has a responsibility to carry everybody to the board rather than chest dumping.
The no- campaigners including Kibaki and Raila should know that every kenyan has a right to choose including Ruto, and so should not be forced to take a position on this document.
Also demanding for the sacking of the people viewed to have a different opinion by Francis Atwoli amount to political,social,and democratic infancy. The media houses are making the same mistake they did in 2005, why are they net giving the NO_campaigners an equal coverage like the yes team, This I think goes against the code of ethics and should change1
We want a united kenya even if the are differences but i think we remain to be kenyans for ever.
Let’s tolarate one another irrespective of our diverse opinion on this document