Since the weekend when a collection of MPs in Kilifi altered the constitution draft document agreed on at the Bomas of Kenya, the threat of mass action has been in the air, championed by leaders who boycotted the retreat and constitution activists.

Yesterday, as Parliament prepared to start discussing the altered draft, protestors gathered to express their concerns. They were swiftly repulsed by the police in scenes reminiscent of the ones that characterised the country during the clamour for multipartyism and a new constitution, a few years back.

This was unfortunate. There can never be any doubts that leaders have failed Kenyans on the issue of constitutional reforms. Just when it looked like we were getting to the home stretch on the road to a new constitution, the process has, once again, been marred by suicidal disagreements.

It is our view that resorting to riots is a precipitate way to do things. Few people will be convinced that all the avenues of dialogue were exhausted before resorting to the streets. Yes, it is true that there have been various contentious issues in the Bomas draft and yes, there have been serious disagreements as to whether Parliament should amend it or present it to a referendum for either endorsement or rejection.

But as we have pointed out before, if consensus on what to present to Parliament fails there is the final resort — the referendum. Whatever the leaders want to do with the document, the referendum should summarise what Kenyans feel about it. Ultimately the will of the people can, and will prevail without any violence. This is what our leaders should be preaching. And this is what the Government, by blocking its ears to the pleas of the people, has also ignored.