POLITICS

2010 KENYAN REFERENDUM
Undecided people will not be tolerated, says MP

June 20, 2010

By Khalwale James



A No rally in Nakuru town. The clergy and christian community took a staunch No stand with the new constitutionbecasue the document allegedly permitted abortion which is against the teachings of the church. Below, a Yes rally being launched in Kisumu city. The Yes camp targeted women and young ladies ''warembo'' (beautifuk ones) because of the percieved benefits such as right to inherit family property and control over their family sizes eg through the health clause that allows women to abort under approval by a medical officer. Photos by James Khalwale June-July, 2010.

Kisumu town west member of parliament Mr Olago Aluoch yesterday said that undecided people should not be allowed into the Yes team because they are misleading citizens against their position adding that it was the president’s duty to lock them out.

He also said that all politicians and Wananchi should publicly declare their position on the referendum as a way to built respect for each person’s democratic right rebuking those who were still between Yes and No as those increasing incitements.

“No room for water melons who appear green yet they are red inside, we must just be decided by now,” he said.

He mentioned that coming up with a new constitution was part of the agenda four which was presented in parliament and passed as a means for a long term healing of Kenya after the post election violence.

Mr Olago in response to the suspension of Kuria MP Dr Wilfred Machage said that hate speech mongers should not be allowed to sprout in the country but instead get severe punishment to serve as an example to others.

“He is not even apologetic to the government which he has betrayed and therefore the president should sack him immediately. This country is beyond the hands of people who want violence,” said the Kisumu town west legislature.

He told the crowd that it was impossible to get another constitution by December this year as some of the No campaigners promised. “If it is possible, then it can also be amended in December if it is passed,” he said.

The MP urged all registered voters to make sure their correct names are in the register in preparation for the August 4 elections saying that the process is now in progress countrywide.

He was addressing a crowd at sports ground in Kisumu during a SOS celebration, an organization that assists orphans and vulnerable children countrywide from the time they are admitted till a self sustainable age.

SOS regional coordinator Ms Judith Ogada said that put of about 2.5million children in Nyanza, 600,000 are orphaned or vulnerable to poor health, lack of education and prone to early pregnancies and marriages.