Referendum: US envoy dismisses Yes funding claims

US ambassador Michael Ranneberger has dismissed claims that his country is funding the Yes group that is backing Kenya's quest for a new constitution.

The envoy, who was accompanied by Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa, said the US has only directed its efforts towards civic education.

“The US Government has not funded any of the Yes or No campaigns as claimed by some ministers opposed to the constitution,” Mr Ranneberger said during a Yes rally in Kitale Wednesday.

Defending his country over the accusations, Mr Ranneberger termed the allegations by leaders in the No camp as baseless and aimed at portraying the US as driving the constitution making process in Kenya.

Higher Education minister William Ruto has accused the envoy of giving out money to MPs to influence them into backing the proposed constitution.

The ambassador, who had met the Yes co-coordinating committees from Mt Elgon and Trans-Nzoia at Kitale Club before addressing a rally at Kitale bus terminus, said his visit to the North Rift was to boost civic education to enable Kenyans make informed decisions.

'We will not tell Kenyans how to vote, it is not our job to influence them.”

However, he stressed the need to pass the proposed constitution saying the process was vital in moving the reform agenda forward.

Mr Ranneberger warned that unless the proposed constitution is passed it would be difficult for the country to implement Agenda Four under the National Accord.

Commend principals

He said more opportunities and investments will follow if the proposed constitution is passed at August 4 referendum.

The US ambassador said President Obama had commended President Kibaki and Raila Odinga for working together to give Kenyans a new constitution.

He appealed to Kenyans to rally behind the two principals to deliver a new constitutional dispensation.

Mr Wamalwa asked his constituents to turn out in large numbers during the referendum and support the proposed constitution saying it will end impunity and address the plight of minority groups.

However, leaders in Trans-Nzoia criticised Mr Ranneberger and asked the US to stop imposing the proposed constitution on Kenyans.

Led by councillor Joshua Werunga the leaders accused the envoy of drumming up support for the document instead of being neutral.

They said the process should be left to Kenyans.

“We are wondering whether Kenyans would have a stake in the constitution since foreigners have taken a lead in the process,” Mr Werunga said.

The leaders appealed to President Obama to keep off Kenyan affairs and concentrate with issues in his country.

Mr Werunga observed that Britain was better placed in advising Kenyans since they are former colonial masters.