Nation Correspondent
23 November 2005
Nairobi — Orange overwhelmingly won in Rift Valley because residents feared that they could lose their land to outsiders if a commission managed the resource.
There were also fears that some sections of the draft were included targeting some of their leaders over alleged past human rights abuses.
Orange scored 1,094,397 votes in the Monday referendum against 384,159 for the Banana.
Cabinet minister Linah Kilimo said the overwhelming No vote was due to vigorous campaigns and civic education.
She said clauses in the Wako Draft such as the national land commission to manage the resource, were opposed by many in the region.
"They feared that they could lose their land if the commission manages it. Land matters are sensitive in the area," said the Immigration and Registration of Persons minister.
Mosop MP John Sambu said voters in the province rejected the proposed new constitution because it gave the President "excessive" executive powers.
Mr Sambu said although campaigns and civic education might have played a role, voters in the region rejected the content of the draft.
Eldama Ravine's Musa Sirma said the recent eviction of about 10,000 families from the Mau Forest indicated to them that the Government "does not respect the law on land".
He said the draft was made to victimise past leaders from the area for alleged mistakes. "It's as if the Constitution was made targeting the community," he said.
The Kanu MP said members of the Kalenjin community were also protesting at "the sacking of senior government officials who served under Moi."
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