20100618
africanews

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has suspended Assistant Roads Minister, Wilfred Machage, over hate speech during the campaign for a new constitution. This comes a day after he was being charged along with other MPS for inciting hatred.

Higher Education Minister William Ruto, who was also among other MPs also accused of hate speech earlier this week but not charged, has appeared before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).

Ruto is alleged to have asked Muslims to reject the proposed constitution if they do not want a war with Christians.

Six people died on Sunday in a stampede after grenades exploded at a campaign rally for the "No" campaign.

Some fear that the campaign ahead of a 4 August referendum could lead to a repeat of the violence which followed elections in December 2007.

Disputes over allegations of electoral fraud ignited ethnic tensions, leading to the deaths of some 1,300 people and forced 300,000 from their homes.

The NCIC was set up to ease ethnic tensions after the post-election violence in 2007 and 2008.

The commission has written to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, asking for the suspension of all campaigning.
Power share

NCIC chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia said he wanted the politicians to be prosecuted quickly after the experience of 2008.

Much of the post-election violence in 2008 was over land disputes between rival ethnic groups and the proposed constitution would set up a land commission to manage public and community land, which is opposed by some.

The violence ended when election rivals Kibaki and Odinga agreed to share power - and write a new constitution.

The coalition remains shaky but supporters of both men generally support the draft constitution.

The document provides for greater checks on presidential powers and more regional devolution.

It also recognises the UN human rights charter and creates a second parliamentary chamber - the senate.