Muslim leaders say 'yes' to draft law

Nominated MP Sheikh Muhammed Dor, Secretary General Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya addresses a news conference on April 10, 2010. Photo/WILLIAM OERI

Muslim leaders on Saturday urged Kenyans to vote for the draft constitution in the upcoming referendum.

Kenya Muslim National Advisory Council National Chairman Sheikh Juma Ngao said the constitution has many good attributes and should not be let to go to waste.

Speaking to the Nation, Sheikh Ngao said contrary to claims by some religious leaders, the draft adheres to religious faith concerning abortion and right to life.

“It clearly says that abortion is not allowed. The only exception is during emergencies or when the life of the mother is in danger,” he said. “This is in Islamic teachings. If the life of the mother is in danger, you cannot stand and watch. You must save the mother,” he added.

Christian leaders object to the section of Article 26 which empowers doctors to end a pregnancy if it endangers the woman’s life or she needs emergency treatment.

The Church is also opposed to the retention of Kadhis’ courts in the proposed Constitution under Article 169 and 170, which limit their authority to disputes over personal status, marriage, divorce or inheritance, where all the parties are Muslims and agree to take the case to a kadhi.

But Sheikh Ngao said that those opposed to the clause have sinister motives, urging them to push for amendments if need be after the draft is passed.

“Looking at the leaders against the clause, they are all men who don’t carry pregnancies. There are women bishops and even nuns who surprisingly are nowhere and were left out in the meeting with the president,” he said.

According to him, though the draft constitution never incorporated regional governments, it provided for devolution through counties. “This is a big victory for Kenyans for it will allow them to have a share of their sweat by retaining part of the revenue,” he said.

Sheikh Ngao said limitation of the president’s powers in appointment of government officers, who will have to be approved by the Parliament under the proposed law was a welcomed move.

“We will have a trimmed cabinet reducing the burden on taxpayers, and curbing corruption by prohibiting foreign accounts,” he said.

“We should follow President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s advice and support the draft fully. Failure to that we will lose the millions we have invested and continue to suffer under the current law,” he added.