Kibaki hits out at Moi in battle for draft votes

• A week to the vote and his legacy on the line, Kibaki’s irritation with predecessor’s energetic politicking boils over

President Kibaki on Tuesday strongly criticised his predecessor Daniel arap Moi for his opposition to the proposed constitution.

Describing the retired President’s campaign against the proposed law as a “shame” and “panic”, Mr Kibaki asked Mr Moi to join the government to ensure the country gets a new constitution.

Though the President’s remarks were given in a good-natured way, they were the more pointed in that Mr Kibaki was publicly attacking Mr Moi for first time in the seven years he has been in power.

Mr Kibaki, without naming him, accused Mr Moi of misleading Kenyans and asked him to stop doing so: “Wazee wengine wanazunguka wakisema katiba ni mbaya (Some old men are moving around saying the constitution is bad).”

Mr Kibaki said he felt sorry for Mr Moi, whom he said was embarrassing himself with these activities. Mr Moi was in leadership for decades but failed to deliver the new constitution that the Kenyan people yearned for, the President said.

“Ni aibu kubwa kwa wazee kama hawa. Awache wasiwasi na aungane na sisi tupitishe katiba (It is a shame for such old men. He should stop panicking and join us so that we can pass the constitution),” he said.

The President told Mr Moi to give up his campaigns so that he could be respected by Kenyans once the constitution is endorsed in the August 4 referendum.

Mr Moi is probably one of the most politically active retired leaders not just in Africa, but anywhere in the world. In democracies such as the United States and the United Kingdom, it would possibly be unthinkable for a retired President or Prime Minister to campaign against the policies of their successor.

Mr Moi robustly campaigned against another draft in 2005, which was defeated, and has been at the forefront of the ‘No’ campaigns, addressing rallies in Meru and Embu only last week.

President Kibaki was campaigning in parts of the region generally referred to as Mt Kenya and spoke in Embu, Mbeere and Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga South District.

He asked Kenyans to turn out in large numbers and make history by taking part in constitution-making. Addressing a well-attended rally in Runyenjes Town, the President asked the residents to wake up early on August 4 and vote, saying the new law will be of great benefit to the common man.

“There are just a few days remaining before the referendum and because the constitution will make your lives more bearable, you should wake up early and vote for it in huge numbers,” he said.

Accompanied by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi and his Trade counterpart Amos Kimunya, Mr Kibaki said he was happy with the public’s enthusiasm for change.

“I am glad that you came in large numbers and it is certain that you have decided to vote for the draft. It is now obvious that the new constitution will go through at the referendum so that we concentrate on something else,” the President said.

The constitution debate had dragged on for many years and was now becoming tiresome, he said.