Kenyan power struggle climaxes in constitutional referendum

NAIROBI – From misty highlands to steamy coast, Kenyans voted yesterday in a referendum on a new constitution amid fears violence could mar a vote seen as a dress rehearsal for the east African nation’s 2007 election.

Queues formed as polling booths opened at 7am and 50 000 security officers were on duty to prevent more of the clashes that killed eight people in the run-up. President Mwai Kibaki has staked his political prestige on the vote, which has turned into a power struggle with foes who say he has failed to end decades of graft and tribalism.The tussle between Kibaki’s “Yes” camp and his opponents’ “No” campaign has widened a cabinet split and deepened communal tensions in the country of 32 million people, seen by Western allies as a lynchpin of stability in a turbulent region.The main controversy over the proposed new charter centres on the president’s powers.Critics say it fails to balance them with a strong prime minister’s post or other checks.The existing constitution was drawn up on the eve of independence from Britain in 1963.”We need to change this old colonial constitution which has been used to oppress us.This is my patriotic duty,” engineer and early “Yes” voter Peter Mathenge, 32, said as mist swirled round Kibaki’s highland hometown of Othaya.At opposition leader Uhuru Kenyatta’s hometown of Gatundu, also in highlands north of Nairobi, most were opposing.”Uhuru has told us to vote ‘No’.We will follow him even if he tells us to go to the wilderness,” said Sam Kungu, a jobless 32-year-old.Paramilitary and regular police units deployed overnight at potential flashpoints after a turbulent campaign.At least one person died when riots convulsed Nairobi for three days in July as the constitution was published.A further eight have been killed in riots around campaign rallies.But there were no incidents of violence reported by mid-morning.There was, however, anecdotal evidence of a common practice across Africa – inducing people to vote.- Nampa-ReutersPresident Mwai Kibaki has staked his political prestige on the vote, which has turned into a power struggle with foes who say he has failed to end decades of graft and tribalism.The tussle between Kibaki’s “Yes” camp and his opponents’ “No” campaign has widened a cabinet split and deepened communal tensions in the country of 32 million people, seen by Western allies as a lynchpin of stability in a turbulent region.The main controversy over the proposed new charter centres on the president’s powers.Critics say it fails to balance them with a strong prime minister’s post or other checks.The existing constitution was drawn up on the eve of independence from Britain in 1963.”We need to change this old colonial constitution which has been used to oppress us.This is my patriotic duty,” engineer and early “Yes” voter Peter Mathenge, 32, said as mist swirled round Kibaki’s highland hometown of Othaya.At opposition leader Uhuru Kenyatta’s hometown of Gatundu, also in highlands north of Nairobi, most were opposing.”Uhuru has told us to vote ‘No’.We will follow him even if he tells us to go to the wilderness,” said Sam Kungu, a jobless 32-year-old.Paramilitary and regular police units deployed overnight at potential flashpoints after a turbulent campaign.At least one person died when riots convulsed Nairobi for three days in July as the constitution was published.A further eight have been killed in riots around campaign rallies.But there were no incidents of violence reported by mid-morning.There was, however, anecdotal evidence of a common practice across Africa – inducing people to vote.- Nampa-Reuters