Kenyans vote ‘No’ on new constitution

NAIROBI – President Mwai Kibaki suffered a humiliating defeat yesterday in a constitutional referendum that galvanised Kenyans’ disillusionment with their leader three years after he took power vowing to end graft and tribalism.

The “No” vote in a country traditionally seen by the West as a lynchpin of stability in turbulent east Africa may lead to a major realignment of political forces before a 2007 election. Counting from Monday’s plebiscite on a proposed new charter backed by Kibaki gave his foes an unassailable lead with about 60 per cent of votes.The run-up to the referendum split the ruling coalition, deepened tribal tensions and ignited unrest in which eight people died.”We have blown the trumpet and sent for the suits and champagne,” said Tom Kajwang, a senior official from the “No” team whose supporters danced and sang in the streets of Nairobi.Critics say the proposed text failed to curb the president’s huge powers, a major issue in the nation of 32 million people fractured by years of so-called “Big Man” rule.Electoral Commission figures at 11am showed the “No” camp with 3,3 million votes, against 2,3 million for “Yes”, with fewer votes left to count than the margin.”It’s a revolution for the orange,” said political analyst Kanyiha Karoti, referring to the fruit symbol adopted by the “No” camp championed by the main opposition Kenya African National Union (KANU) party and a party in the ruling coalition.”No” supporters were in party mood, while “Yes” proponents were hard to find.”They’re probably drowning their sorrows in orange juice,” the “No” camp’s Nazlene Rajput told Reuters.With much of the counting taking place in far-flung areas, however, formal final results were due only later in the day.Electoral officials declined to call the result until full counting was completed.”The score is there for you to see,” spokesman Mani Lemayian told Reuters.With the Orange lead untouchable, speculation turned to the political ramifications.Top of the agenda was how Kibaki, 74, would deal with seven rebel ministers who campaigned for a “No” vote in a move that split the ruling National Rainbow Coalition.During the campaign, he had threatened them with the sack.But one leading “No” proponent, KANU shadow attorney-general Mutula Kilonzo, said instead that Kibaki’s attorney-general and justice minister should resign over their roles in drawing up a document overwhelmingly rejected by the Kenyan people.Analysts were also trying to work out how much concrete damage the vote had done to Kibaki’s re-election chances.”There is a lot of work to do in terms of healing,” analyst Patrick Kiage said.Kibaki supporters said there was no need to panic.”We said previously we will abide by the results, however disappointing,” Water Minister Martha Karua told Reuters.”There is no crisis, there is no vacuum, and there is a constitution in place that will continue governing this country.”Kibaki’s campaign, using the symbol of a banana, often seemed lacklustre in comparison to the raucous energy seen at mass rallies staged by the opposition and the dissident government faction the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).Kibaki swept to victory in 2002 elections on a wave of resentment at rising poverty and corruption under the 24-year rule of his predecessor Daniel arap Moi.But many Kenyans say he has failed to create enough jobs or end graft.- Nampa-ReutersCounting from Monday’s plebiscite on a proposed new charter backed by Kibaki gave his foes an unassailable lead with about 60 per cent of votes.The run-up to the referendum split the ruling coalition, deepened tribal tensions and ignited unrest in which eight people died.”We have blown the trumpet and sent for the suits and champagne,” said Tom Kajwang, a senior official from the “No” team whose supporters danced and sang in the streets of Nairobi.Critics say the proposed text failed to curb the president’s huge powers, a major issue in the nation of 32 million people fractured by years of so-called “Big Man” rule.Electoral Commission figures at 11am showed the “No” camp with 3,3 million votes, against 2,3 million for “Yes”, with fewer votes left to count than the margin.”It’s a revolution for the orange,” said political analyst Kanyiha Karoti, referring to the fruit symbol adopted by the “No” camp championed by the main opposition Kenya African National Union (KANU) party and a party in the ruling coalition.”No” supporters were in party mood, while “Yes” proponents were hard to find.”They’re probably drowning their sorrows in orange juice,” the “No” camp’s Nazlene Rajput told Reuters.With much of the counting taking place in far-flung areas, however, formal final results were due only later in the day.Electoral officials declined to call the result until full counting was completed.”The score is there for you to see,” spokesman Mani Lemayian told Reuters.With the Orange lead untouchable, speculation turned to the political ramifications.Top of the agenda was how Kibaki, 74, would deal with seven rebel ministers who campaigned for a “No” vote in a move that split the ruling National Rainbow Coalition.During the campaign, he had threatened them with the sack.But one leading “No” proponent, KANU shadow attorney-general Mutula Kilonzo, said instead that Kibaki’s attorney-general and justice minister should resign over their roles in drawing up a document overwhelmingly rejected by the Kenyan people.Analysts were also trying to work out how much concrete damage the vote had done to Kibaki’s re-election chances.”There is a lot of work to do in terms of healing,” analyst Patrick Kiage said.Kibaki supporters said there was no need to panic.”We said previously we will abide by the results, however disappointing,” Water Minister Martha Karua told Reuters.”There is no crisis, there is no vacuum, and there is a constitution in place that will continue governing this country.”Kibaki’s campaign, using the symbol of a banana, often seemed lacklustre in comparison to the raucous energy seen at mass rallies staged by the opposition and the dissident government faction the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).Kibaki swept to victory in 2002 elections on a wave of resentment at rising poverty and corruption under the 24-year rule of his predecessor Daniel arap Moi.But many Kenyans say he has failed to create enough jobs or end graft.- Nampa-Reuters