AFRICA/KENYA - Former President Moi campaigning against new Constitution

Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) – On the eve of the referendum of August 4, for the approval of the new Constitution, former President Daniel Arap Moi of Kenya has intensified his campaign against the new constitutional text and urged the Church to remain steadfast in its opposition. The Catholic Church, along with the major Christian denominations, opposes the constitution that Kenyans are asked to approve, as it introduces a provision that opens the door to the legalization of abortion.
On Sunday, August 1, the former president spoke in the Catholic parish of Ichuni, in Kisii. Moi said Kenyans should vote "a resounding no" in the referendum of August 4.
He said he considered the promise that the constitutional text will be changed after it is approved by referendum an operation of low politics, and said he believes that will last forever.
"Political seats will come and go but the constitution will define your destiny forever. That is why I am asking Kenyans to reject the Proposed Constitution as it does not show how wananchi will live in future," said Moi, using the term commonly used to designate the Kenyan population.
Moi also urged Kenyans to observe peace during and after the referendum and criticized the referendum in question, arguing that the drafters should have asked Kenyans what they were not satisfied with in the draft instead of confining them into either rejecting or accepting the whole document. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 08/02/2010)