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Kenya Marks Promulgation Of New Constitution 27 August 2010

Kenyans mark the promulgation of their new constitution 27 August 2010. A national holiday has been declared and the key event will be a military march past in Uhuru Park Nairobi,Kenya.

Kenya Referendum – Kenya Votes Yes!

Kenyans took a step towards constitutional change with the majority of the 12 millon voters endorsing a new constitution for Kenya.

Kenya Referendum On New Constitution 4 August

Kenyans go to the polls to endorse or reject a new constitution.

Turn out is expected to be high. (4 August 2010 is a
national holiday in Kenya.
Quick guide to Kenya’s Referendum 2010
The introduction of a new constitution is part of what is called as Agenda 4 following the mediation between the parties after Kenya’s
2007 Post- Election
violence where over 1500 people died and over 300000 were dispaced (lost their homes or were forced to move out by other ethnic groups. .
The are two camps of voters:
The Greens – also known as the “Yes” vote. This group is endorsed by Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. They want Kenyans to accept the proposed
constitution.
The Reds – also known as the “No” vote. This group consists of mainly Christian groups who are opposed to certain key issues in the draft constitution. Key Kenyan personalities in the Red camp are Philip Ruto ( Higher Education Minister) and former Kenya President Daniel Arap Moi. The group want Kenyans to reject the draft constitution until the key issues are ironed out.
What key issues
are the Reds opposed too?
The Reds have given a red card to clauses on:
Kadhi (Islamic Courts)
Land Reforms
Abortion
End

Not With Kenyan Tax Money

Article by Peter Leftie of the Nation 1 July 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya, focuses on the Kenyan public outcry concerning
Kenyan Parliamentarians’ proposed increased salary and sitting allowance.

The salary and sitting allowance increase is estimated to be of a region of Kenya Shilling 27.3 billion (approximately UK£221.3 million based on an exchange rate of UK£1 being approximately Ksh124 or US Dollars $335.8 million based on an exchange rate of US$1 being approximately Ksh 81.6) . The article states that the proposed
increase will exceed the annual budget set for free primary education in Kenya.

Most vocal opponents
are the Civil Society including the Trade Unions, who have asked Kenya’s Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta not to present the bill or face mass protest.

Kenya’s Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta must present the proposed changes as part of a Finance Bill and bring it before Kenya Parliament in Nairobi over the next seven days.

Key
quote in the article:

“The NGOs described the MPs’ pay rise as “theft with impunity, outright selfishness and the greatest betrayal of the people they represent in Parliament.” The generous salary award, which includes a 100 per cent rise in sitting allowances and adds Sh1 billion a year to the taxpayers’ burden, has been greeted with outrage and condemnation across the country.”