By David Mageria and C Bryson Hull


Nairobi - Shops and offices in the Kenyan capital Nairobi were boarded up on Saturday as thousands thronged to rival pro- and anti-government rallies ahead of a constitutional vote seen as a dry run for 2007 elections.

The gatherings by the "Yes" and "No" camps ahead of Monday's plebiscite on a proposed new constitution were expected to be the biggest political meetings since a 2002 election brought President Mwai Kibaki to power.

The proposed constitution is intended to strengthen democracy in the East African nation of 32 million but campaigning has degenerated into a race for political prestige rather than a debate on the complex issues in the charter.

As thousands trudged to Freedom Park for the Yes camp and Nyayo Stadium for the No group, many traders shuttered shops with steel bars in fear of more trouble after a campaign in which nine people around Kenya have been killed in unrest.

John Gadi, 30-year-old jobless father of two, told Reuters at the opposition rally: "I will vote No because Kibaki promised half a million jobs but he did not deliver. He is a big liar. I can't trust him again."

At the government gathering, Njoki Kimunge, a 47-year-old mother of three from Kibaki's home area of Othaya, told reporters: "I do not understand the constitution. I hope today they will tell me all about it. We are supporting "Yes" because my children receive free education."

Kibaki, who introduced free primary education within months of taking power but is blamed by many for not creating enough jobs, is leading the campaign to approve the new constitution under the symbol of a banana.

The main opposition party and a dissident faction from Kibaki's ruling National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) are opposing under the symbol of an orange. The fruits were chosen by the electoral commission to help illiterate voters.

Riots convulsed Nairobi for three days in July when the constitution text was published, leaving at least one dead. Eight more have died in riots around campaign rallies in past weeks.

The turbulence in Kenya has added to unrest around the east African region, with politically-motivated riots in Ethiopia, Uganda and the Tanzanian islands of Zanzibar in recent weeks.

If approved, the new basic law would be the first complete overhaul of a charter that dates back more than 40 years.

Many blame politicians for whipping up tribal animosities among Kenyans rather than seriously debating the complicated, long-term issues at stake.

The main controversy is over the powers of the president, with critics saying the new charter ignores the will of the majority of Kenyans to balance those powers with a strong prime minister's post and other checks.

In a speech on Friday, Kibaki called for calm and urged politicians not to incite people to violence. "If you pay someone to throw stones, you have not helped him," he said.

Police have divided Nairobi into "Orange" and "Banana" zones, drafted in extra officers to ensure rival supporters do not clash and warned of stern action against troublemakers.

Published on the Web by IOL on 2005-11-19 03:52:58