Kalonzo party backs draft law

• Mr Musyoka says that the quest for a new constitution for Kenya goes beyond party lines.

The Orange Democratic Movement of Kenya (ODM-K) has given its backing to the proposed draft Constitution.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, who is the party leader, said ODM-K National Delegates Conference (NDC) in April 2008 and a subsequent party retreat at KCB, Karen in 2009 endorsed a presidential system of government.

“Coupled with the fact that Justice Minister (Mutula) Kilonzo is the party’s secretary general, one does not have to belabour to know the ODM-K position,” the VP said on Wednesday at the Moi International Airport, Mombasa.

He spoke moments after seeing off the King of Sweden His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, who flew out of the country after a brief stop over.

Mr Musyoka, however, added that the quest for a new constitution for Kenya goes beyond party lines.

“This is not a matter of ODM-K, PNU or ODM. The constitution is a governing document for all Kenyans and even those who do not subscribe to political parties,” he said.

Mr Musyoka reiterated that the constitutional debate should not be allowed to polarise Kenyans.

Need for dialogue

He stressed the need for dialogue, saying that it should be encouraged before and after the referendum so that the country continues to hold together.

“Leaders should go out and preach harmony, but I will not be party to those who insult or attack others in the guise of debating the draft law or those who use it to settle political scores.”

He encouraged the coexistence of different religious groups and all Kenyans.

Earlier, the Vice President held talks with King Gustaf at the airport.

Their talks centred on the increasing problem of piracy in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.

The Vice President also briefed the King, who is also the honorary chairman of World Scouts Foundation, on the forthcoming World Scouts Moot set for July this year in Nairobi.

Also present were the Swedish ambassador to Kenya Mrs Ann Dismorr, the Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Dr Ludeki Chweya and General Anders Lindstrom of the Swedish armed forces among others.