Kenya Government Starts Campaign for Pro-Abortion Constitution, Attacks Church
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
April 20, 2010
Nairobi, Kenya (LifeNews.com) — The government of Kenya, apparently with the help of the Obama administration, is rolling out a national educational campaign designed to persuade people to vote for the new pro-abortion constitution this summer. Meanwhile, governmental leaders are attacking church leaders for condemning abortion.
Constitutional Affairs Minister Mutula Kilonzo told NNN-KBC today that the government will unveil the new educational campaign next month.
Members of Parliament of the Party of National Unity are behind the effort, which, as LifeNews.com has reported, may be receiving financial support from the Obama administration.
US Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger called on Kenya’s political leaders to rally the people to pass the referendum.
Ranneberger also suggested the Obama administration would fund a national campaign to persuade the people to adopt the document.
Industrialization Assistant minister Ndiritu Muriithi, MPs Nelson Gaichuhie (Subukia), Joseph Kiuna (Molo) and Erastus Mureithi (Ol Kalou), according to the news source, are promoting the new campaign for the draft constitution.
"This is a war that has just begun as our opponents will not go ahead of us. We are planning to hold rallies all over the region to make sure that the draft passes,” Muriithi said.
He said more MPs would join the "Yes Caravan" and added: “We will not stop until Kenyans get the long awaited Constitution. This is a caravan that will be joined by all leaders from the country who are determined to give Kenyans a new law."
The leaders have launched a scathing attack on various church leaders who are opposing the draft Constitution because it contains provisions that would overturn the longstanding pro-life laws and culture of Kenya and allow unlimited abortions.
Mureithi told the Kenyan news source that Church leaders need to get over their concerns and support the document for the benefit of all Kenyans.
“There comes a time where we have to sacrifice for the benefit of Kenyans and that is why we want the leaders to swallow their pride and support the document. There can never be a perfect Constitution that would please all of us,” he said.
“We wonder where the churches are getting all this details from as it is very clear that the draft does not stipulate that abortion is allowed. We want them to come out clearly and tell Kenyans why they are opposing it,” he added, saying the Constitution could be amended at a latter date.
Not every member of the Kenyan government is on board.
Agricultural minister William Ruto is opposed to it and he is asking those who voted no on the 2005 constitution to oppose it again.
Although the draft contains language advocating the right to life for unborn children, it contains a section with a health exception that essentially opens the nation to unlimited abortions throughout pregnancy for any reason.
Before the revised constitution can come into force, it must be approved by popular vote — expected in July.
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