SUPKEM did not ban DSTV in Mandera

We are dismayed to learn that the Nation erroneously reported that Muslim leaders have banned DSTV and video halls in Mandera. The story as you will learn is very different from the news reports. What gives?

Read on.

Statement against quit ultimatum to Draft Constitution naysayers

By now most of us have made our minds about the constitution. If you haven't, well, there is still time. Bunge la Wananchi, like many of us,  is concerned about the president's isolation of Cabinet ministers who oppose the constitution (the No campaign).

We wish to remind the principals that Kenya is a democracy and it is in the nature of a democracy for the majority to have their way but the minority to have their say. It is in the spirit of democracy for competing ideas to be resolved at the ballot box if consensus cannot be built in advance. In a democracy, the fundamental rights of all are protected regardless of the views that they hold.

Discuss.

Ruto and Kosgei Re-Assigned Ministries in Cabinet Shuffle

State House today announced a mini-shuffle in the Cabinet which sees Rift Valley members of parliament opposed to Prime Minister Raila Odinga suffering setbacks, while those rooting for him in the ODM wrangles and in the constitutional debate enjoying promotions. The headlines will no doubt focus on the major change that sees Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Aldai MP Sally Kosgei swap ministries, with Ruto demoted from the powerful Ministry of Agriculture and Dr. Kosgei - a former head of the civil service, promoted to Kilimo House as the Minster for Agriculture.

Are we Reading the Same Constitution?

A reader shares comments that he has seen as criticisms of the proposed constitution. As he shows, none of them have nothing to do with the proposal. Check

Martha Karua on Kenya's Proposed Constitution

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs asks that you vote for the proposed constitution in the coming referendum.

Yesu Kristo Ltd For Sale

Yesu Kristo Ltd. For sale as a going concern. YKL- trading as Church of God, Kenya- is a fully established church with branches in all major stadiums and market centres. Owner leaving for the United Kingdom on orders from Her Majesty’s government to serve as an in- house spiritual advisor to the British penal system.

This could be sattire, or real. The determination is yours to make. 

Open Thread: Discussing the 'Yes' and 'No' Campaigns on the Proposed Constitution

Everyone it seems agrees that the proposed constitution is far from perfect, even defective. The contention is whether or not those defects are of such a fundamental nature as to render the document unacceptable, even worse than the status quo.

What is your informed opinion of the draft? Is it better than the current document and in what ways? Also, what are the social, economic and political costs of replacing the old one? Are we discarding an unsavory part of our history and if so, are we doomed to repeat it? Discuss in comments below.

Curate's Egg: Assessment of Kenya's Proposed Constitution

As everyone seems to be saying, the “approval” by the National Assembly (NA) of the Proposed Constitution (PC) was historic, and MPs are being profusely thanked. Except that we had another historic day in March 2004 when Bomas adopted a constitution, and that the NA had no authority to approve the PC. It is amazing that only one member realised this, even though the NA itself had made this rule when enacting section 47A of the Constitution. So much for constitutions!

A snap shot that you really MUST read.

A principled approach to the question of Kadhi courts in Kenya's Constitution

There are few more critical factors to the Kenya as a peaceful and united nation than the way we resolve the controversy over the Kadhi courts. As is painfully clear, we have become a deeply fragmented nation. Avoiding emotions, dogma and arrogance, we must seek a principled approach to the question of the constitutional recognition of Kadhi courts. That approach appears in the preamble of the Proposed Constitution which says, echoing a widespread sentiments of Kenyans, that we are proud of our ethnic, cultural and religious diversity, and must build peace and unity on that diversity. In multi-ethnic states, it is wisest to search for an appropriate balance between national values and identity and communal values and identity. Denying a community its identity as expressed in its most cherished values, and which do no harm to others, is the surest way to conflict and disintegration.

Yash Ghai on Kadhi Courts in Kenya arguing that its inclusion in the constitution should not be cause for concern for Kenyans. Thoughts?