A ‘Yes’ vote will pave the way for birth of Second Republic

The campaigns have been conducted in your absence and yet this is not your style – away from the political platform. How has it been for you?

It’s been a welcome moment of rest. It’s welcome for a change. It’s been a time to reflect, think deeply, meditate and analyse issues deeply. It has been a welcome for those who felt that I was overbearing or boring. That’s healthy.

Should the proposed constitution pass, there is a lot of work cut out for you and President Kibaki. How do you think this will proceed?

I think we have struck a very good working relationship. We started walking in different directions and that impeded progress. Coming from two different political groupings, there are always pressures. But we realsied with closer consultation, it helps to resolve issues. We’ve found better ways of working together.

President Kibaki and former President Moi had a public spat in the recent campaigns. What’s your comment?

The President was right to point out to the retired president that he was overstepping his mandate. There is a law that estbalihses his benefits and he is nto supposed to engage in active campaigns that bring him into confrontation  with the current players. You don’t retire and then turn into an activist. If you work at Kenya Railawys and then you retire, can you go back and say that you want to work? He should take cue from retired presidents like Mandela, Chissano, Kufuor and Masire and even Clinton and Blair abroad. It’s most unfortunate.

In your days in the opposition, you criticized former President Moi for using civil servants during campaigns. Now your government is doing exactly the same.

Our critics have completely missed the point. They are talking about politicking, the constitution is fundamental and you cannot excluse anyone from the process. This is not an ODM or PNU, or ODM-K or Kanu affair. There are no party politics involved here.

The National Accord came up with Agenda IV and the government was obligated to bring a new constitution. The Committee of Experts was fully funded by the government. The retreat by MPs was fully funded by the government. When MPs debated this it was passed unanimously and there was no dissent. It’s now up to the Executive to implement Parliament’s decision as we do with Bills and the Executive includes the government bureaucracy.

However, PSs were asked to choose which side they wanted to be and only (Joseph) Lonyangopuo and (James) Ole Kiyapi went to ‘No’ and they were allowed. They are actively involved. Which law have they violated? A constitution is for the entire country. Moi used civil servants and directed them to ensure that certain candidates won. He even made it mandatory for PSs to become life members of Kanu. He should give us a break talking about neutrality.