Debate centres around sharing of power between president and prime minister

On its part, the National Civil Society Congress said it did not find that the draft curtails presidential powers.

“The presidency still retains substantial powers in public appointments,” said Mr Morris Odhiambo, the leader of the group.

Speaking in Trans Mara East district, Assistant minister Kabando wa Kabando criticised his fellow politicians for attacking the draft even before reading it.

Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchella welcomed the devolution of power and resources saying it aims to empower and uplift the living standards of all Kenyans.

But, Kikuyu MP Lewis Nguyai said issues such as the Bill of rights and cross representation are not in the draft.

“Cross representation should be included so that we do not have one person representing 500,000 in parliament, while another one represents 50,000 people,” he said.

In Ndaragwa, Cooperatives Minister Joseph Nyaga said the Committee of Experts ought to recognise the existing 254 districts in the harmonised draft to avoid the document being rejected during the referendum.

At the Coast, Muslims for Human Rights executive director Hussein Khalid announced plans to convene more than 200 meetings in the province to sensitise the public on the draft constitution.

Mr Samuel Welimo of the Hope of Revival Mission in Butere said the provision for kadhi courts in the draft was discriminatory, as all religions ought to be allowed to have their own courts.

Reports by George Munene, Eric Wainaina, Dennis Odunga, Joy Wanja, James Kariuki, George Sayagie, Simon Siele, Peter Ng’etich, Henry Andanje, Edwin Nyarangi, Maurice K’aluoch and Philip Muyanga