Kenyans to vote in referendum for new constitution

Eldoret, Kenya (News Today) - Kenyans will vote Wednesday in a historic referendum on a new constitution that could be the first step toward a truly functioning government for East Africa's largest economy.

Before dawn, long lines already formed at the main polling station in Uasin Gishu Primary school in Eldoret.

Before the polls even opened, Kenyans, dressed in warm jackets to contend with the winter cold, lined up to vote in the crucial referendum.

Eldoret, in Kenya's restive rift valley, was the scene of some of the worst violence after the last election that left more than 1,000 people dead and hundreds of thousands homeless.

Daniel Macharia came from out of town and arrived at 4 a.m. He was still only halfway down the line.

Despite the cold morning, Macharia was determined to cast his ballot.

"I want to participate in this historic moment," he said. "I want to make a decision for our country that will make a good future."

Polling at the vast majority of the country's 27,000 stations started on time at 6 a.m., said Andrew Limo, spokesman for the Interim Independent Electoral Commission. Counting will start after the polls close at 5 p.m. local time, and the results could be announced Friday.

About 12.5 million Kenyans have registered to vote, according to the Interim Independent Electoral Commission. The commission replaced the discredited Electoral Commission of Kenya, which oversaw the 2007 disputed elections.

Opinion polls indicate the proposed constitution is likely to be passed by a majority of Kenyans, an sign that a majority of citizens are optimistic that the constitution will bring change.

There has been heated campaigns in the run-up to the referendum from both sides of the issue. Proponents of the draft -- officially known as the Greens or Yes-Side -- say it checks the current excessive powers of the president, devolves power to the regions and also strengthens the bill of rights.

Forerunners on the Yes-Side include President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who together pledged constitutional reforms when they formed a coalition government after the 2007 disputed elections.

The No-Side, or the Reds, includes members of Christian churches in Kenya who base their objection on land rights, a loophole that would potentially allow abortion and the possible elevation of one religion over others through the Islamic courts.

The draft constitution defines life as beginning as conception and outlaws abortion, but includes exceptions for "emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law."

Its opposing stance on the draft constitution has caused the church to be called anti-reformist, a label that it strongly denies.

"No, we are not halting reforms," said Bishop Mark Kariuki of Deliverance Church during a prayer meeting a week before the referendum. "We are saying let's get good things that are in the constitution, put them in a fridge then we deal with the bad ones."

Opposition from the churches in Kenya is potentially crucial.

"Kenya is an overwhelmingly Christian nation," said Greg Smith, of the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life in Washington, D.C.

Some 88 percent of Kenyans identify themselves as Christian, he said.

Kenya is about 7 percent Muslim, according to the Pew Forum.

Many Christians in Kenya object to the enshrining of Islamic courts as part of the country's legal system.

Known as kadhi courts, they would be an alternative to the civil courts "for matters such as law relating to personal status, marriage, divorce or inheritance in proceedings in which all the parties profess the Muslim religion and submit to the jurisdiction of the Kadhi's courts," according to the draft constitution.

About 50 countries have some provision for religious courts to act as an alternative to civil courts for matters of personal status, the Pew Forum says.

Security -- especially in potential hot spots -- has been beefed up following concerns that violence may once again break out during the voting period.

Source : CNN

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