KENYA, AFRICA, September 1, 2005: The entry of religious leaders in Kenya’s constitutional review fray is likely to complicate the process. The draft constitution, completed last year, has proposed several changes to the current constitution. These include entrenching the already existing Islamic (Khadhi) courts – which preside over Islamic family and personal issues – in the constitution. Churches and Christian organizations have opposed the proposal, arguing that it would give Islam undue supremacy over other religions in the country. The Electoral Commission of Kenya will announce next Monday the crucial referendum date for the vote on its proposed new constitution. The Hindu Council of Kenya expressed its reservations on several issues in the forthcoming draft. Considering their massive following, especially in the rural areas, the threats could erect a huge obstacle to the enactment of a new constitution. Church leaders have vowed to use all resources within their means to ensure that Kenyans reject the draft being prepared by the Attorney General. “We support the idea of every religion being given a chance to worship and practice without restriction, but feel that giving only one religion special consideration in an important document such as the constitution is fundamentally unfair,” says Dr. Sunil Shah, secretary general of the Hindu Council of Kenya. Muslims (10 to 20% of the population), however, have defended the inclusion of the Kadhis Courts in the expected constitution. Mr. Billow Kerrow, the MP for Mandera Central, says that Khadhi Courts are core to the practice of the Islamic faith and other religions should not fear since they also have a chance to practice their faiths without restriction. An additional source is here.
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