Kenya clergy oppose poll date change
Church leaders on Sunday opposed the proposed constitutional amendment to move the election date from August to December next year.
John Cardinal Njue said the decision was motivated by selfish interests, and appealed to Kenyans to reject it.
He said the cracks in the implementation of the new law had vindicated the church’s stand against it at the referendum.
“The problem with the new law is that it was rushed at a time when the Church called for caution.
“The problems we are seeing now are as a result of politicians refusing to heed that counsel,” he said during a fund raiser in Mathira, Nyeri County.
The head of the Catholic church warned that the amendment would pass easily in Parliament because it guarantees MPs more time in the House. (READ: Cabinet moves to change Kenya's election date)
In Nakuru, Bishop Mark Kariuki of the Deliverance Church said it was too early to start amending the new law.
“The government should not try to alter some of the sections because it would be against the wish of Kenyans who voted in favour of the document,” he said.
He also called for dialogue and prayer to address challenges facing the country.
At the same time, a lobby on the implementation of the new Constitution wants the Supreme Court to decide the date of the next elections.
Jukwaa La Katiba said on Sunday delays in hearing a suit by the Interim Independent Electoral Commission was giving politicians room to amend the Constitution for selfish reasons.
The group’s spokesman, Mr Odhiambo Ayoko, said the government was pushing the date from August to December at the behest of some of the six Kenyans accused of bearing the greatest responsibility over the post-election chaos.
“We suspect there is an ill motive to prolong the current Parliament so as to suit political interests,” Mr Ayoko said.
Last month, the Cabinet voted to amend Article 101 (1) that says elections must be held on the second Tuesday in August of the fifth year of the election cycle.
Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo published the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill 2011, which also guarantees gender parity in public offices.
Reported by John Njagi, Simon Siele and Aggrey Mutambo
