Nairobi — President Kibaki on Friday pleaded with residents of Rift Valley to join other Kenyans in passing the proposed constitution, saying there was no clause that would legalise seizure of land by the government.

In what appeared to be a reaction to reports that Rift Valley was a potential hotspot for violence, he said that the government would use all powers at its disposal to avert such a scenario.

The Head of State added that whatever results will come out, Kenyans should remain united.

Higher Education minister William Ruto, the main face of the 'No' campaigns, has been using the land question to rally voters against the new laws.

But the President challenged Mr Ruto's camp to read the specific clauses on land instead of stirring emotions in a bid to throw out another attempt by the country to have new laws.

The President was speaking at the Kapkatet Grounds in Bureti District, the perceived site of major decisions by the Kipsigis. He led a team of 12 Cabinet ministers, three assistant ministers and four MPs in drumming up support for the document.

The President said that it was the government's cardinal role to protect lives and property of Kenyans as enshrined in the current Constitution and also in the proposed document.

"The majority of Kenyans are for the proposed constitution and I am sure that a new document will be in place next week," the Head of State said.

He urged Kenyans irrespective of the camp they are in to conduct peaceful campaigns devoid of hate speech and incitement.

Mr Kibaki assured residents in the region that contentious land issues in the document would be addressed in Parliament once the constitution was passed.

Mr Franklin Bett, one of the ministers present, said he would push for the amendment of the constitution to have a county government for Bureti created.

Agriculture minister Sally Kosgei warned residents in Rift Valley Province that they stood to be isolated if they did not support the new laws.

Lands minister James Orengo said that the government will definitely revoke title deeds of people who allocated themselves public land illegally.

At the same time, President Kibaki on Friday led seven Cabinet ministers and 21 MPs in drumming up support for the new laws at the historic Suswa Grounds in Narok North District.

Leaders from the community had a list of demands which they wished addressed -- including the upgrading of the Narok University College to a fully-fledged university.

Speakers at the rally were unanimous that a new constitution would bring development closer to the people. Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka praised Mr Kibaki for spearheading the 'Yes' campaigns and assured him that his legacy was intact as the new laws would pass.

Reported by Geoffrey Rono, Simon Siele, Bendict Tirop, Julius Sigei and Dave Opiyo