‘No’ team accuses US of meddling

• Charges fly as ‘Reds’ step up the hunt for people’s hearts and minds

The ‘No’ camp intensified its hunt for votes in Ukambani on Friday while accusing US leaders of manipulating the Kenyan reform process.

Four MPs who addressed rallies in Mutomo, Kitui West, Mutito and Mwingi North constituencies accused US President Barack Obama and the Congressional Black Caucus of meddling in the constitutional review process.

Settle political scores

The MPs were reacting to claims by 42 Black Caucus members that pro-life groups in the US were funding the ‘No’ campaign in its fight to have the proposed constitution rejected at next week’s referendum.

Among those at the rally were Higher Education minister William Ruto, Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo, Belgut’s Charles Keter and Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka.

Mr Kilonzo accused Committee of Experts chairman Nzamba Kitonga, who is from Mutito, of using the review process to settle political scores.

In Nairobi, church leaders held a prayer meeting and claimed that voting ‘Yes’ would be akin to choosing a curse over a blessing and death over life.

“Choose life so that your descendants can live,” was the message at the prayer meeting at the Holy Family Basilica.

“As shepherds, we have responsibility to the flock,” said the Catholic Archbishop of Nairobi, John Cardinal Njue.

Bishop Mark Kariuki of Deliverance Church said the church was united while the Methodist Church urged the ‘No’ camp to remain firm.

Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Eliud Wabukala said: “God is not ending on August 4 and may God bring peace, love and unity to all of us.”

Bishop Wilfred Lai of Jesus Celebration Centre said yesterday’s meeting was only putting a seal to their victory on the last leg of campaign.

Bishop Peter Njiiri of the Kenya Assemblies of God said: “We need to open our ears and hearts to this voice.”

A joint statement was signed by 27 churches.