Nairobi — A group of Anglican clergymen in Nyanza have poured cold water on the campaign by the Ufungamano Initiative to have their draft constitution adopted at Bomas.

They claimed a section of the delegates, including some of their colleagues, wanted to derail the reform process for selfish interests.

They also charged that there was too much rhetoric among some of the Bomas delegates.

The bishops - Joseph Wasonga (Maseno West), Francis Mwai Abiero (Maseno South), Johannes Angela (Bondo) and James Ochiel (Southern Nyanza) - said Bomas I, II and III were truly representative of the aspirations of Kenyans.

"The conference reflects diversity and realities in Kenya today," the Rev Wasonga, who read a joint statement, said.

The Ufungamano team is expected to meet the Parliamentary Select Committee on the review process today.

The team has already written to the Clerk of the National Assembly asking him to arrange the meeting.

The Bomas conference was on the right course and should be supported by all to enable Kenyans to have a new constitution as promised, they said.

The Ufungamano draft should not be used to cause confusion at Bomas."The Bomas process has the mandate of stakeholders countrywide and the Ufungamano draft can only be used as a guideline," they said.

Addressing a Press conference at Stephen's Cathedral, Kisumu, the prelates said they had confidence in the chairman of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission, Prof Yash Pal Ghai.

Wasonga said Ghai was competent and had an excellent record on constitution writing.

Abiero said only parts of the review draft should be subjected to a referendum, but not the entire document.

He added that the review process was cumbersome and expensive and should not be allowed to burden tax-payers further.