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November 20, 2005

Kenya: Vote Bananas For Change, Oranges For Sharia

Tomorrow, Kenyans will be voting on a constitutional referendum. The changes suggested by the president, Mwai Kibaki, will boost his powers, and create a new post of Prime Minister. As a third of Kenyans cannot read, the president has decided to use bananas to signify a "yes" vote, and oranges for a "no" vote. Out of a population of 33.5 million, only 11.6 million are eligible to vote.

The Muslim vote is expected to go for the oranges. According to the CIA Factbook, Muslims comprise only 10% of the population of Kenya, but that figure is only an estimate. What is bothering Muslims is not the increase in presidential power, in a country which has been ruled by corrupt and despotic leaders since independence in 1963, but the fact that in the new draft constitution, sharia courts, or Khadi courts are not listed.

Originally, the Khadi courts were to be included in the constitution, but faced strong opposition from Christians, who outnumber Muslims. When the sharia courts were included in the first draft, the Federation of Churches, which represents 41 congregations, argued for a "no" vote, stated Islam Online, back in August. The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya then stated that all Muslims should vote "yes".

The government of Presidebt Kibaki made a turn-around since that time, probably realising that without the Christian vote, his extra powers to appoint ministers would not be ratified. So the constitution which is being presented to the people tomorrow is not going to contain reference to enshrining the Khadi courts into the fabric of Kenyan law and politics. Instead, the issue of Sharia will be left for parliament to decide, and parliament is predominantly Christian.

And so, naturally, for the Muslims, it is a case of "no bananas". Scholars from 28 Islamic groups, which includes the Council of Imams, now describe the constitution as "immoral and illegitimate", according to today's Islam Online, and in true Muslim fashion, as always happens when they are not on top, they have issued a fatwa against voting "yes".

There are still Muslims who support the changes, notably Sheikh Juma Ngao of the Mombasa branch of the Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims, who believes the constitution will not expose Muslims to abuse and violation of religious rights, as has been claimed.

The last campaigning has already finished, and rallies which were expected to be marred by violence took place fairly peacefully. There is still the problem of corruption, and as Ireland Online stated today, a watchdog commission has been advising voters how to prevent their votes being stolen, and not to allow themselves to be bribed to vote against their personal wishes. Tomorrow, at 19,134 polling stations across the land, Kenyans will, hopefully, decide for themselves whether to vote for the picture of a banana or the picture of an orange.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at November 20, 2005 2:21 PM

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Posted by: Bill at November 20, 2005 2:56 PM

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