Supporters of the Kenya's draft constitution hold a rally
Posted on 08/03/2010 11:52:01 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
More than 60,000 police have been deployed to guard polling stations as Kenya votes on Wednesday for the first time since violence after the 2007 presidential election left 1,300 people dead.
Supporters of the Kenya's draft constitution hold a rally
Kenyans will vote in a referendum on a new constitution, which would curb presidential powers, overhaul the corrupt judiciary and devolve responsibility and resources to the country's regions.
But the draft, which 60 per cent of voters support according to opinion polls, has drawn criticism for clauses seen as easing policy on abortion and Muslim-only courts, emotive issues in majority-Christian Kenya.
Violence is not widely expected, but the Rift Valley province - scene of the worst fighting after the last elections and the heartland of those opposed to the draft - is on high alert.
Already hundreds of people are moving away from main towns, fearful that rival tribes could launch attacks.
Three MPs were charged with incitement to violence during the campaign, and leaflets warning those supporting the new constitution to leave their homes have been found in several flashpoint areas.
Britain and Kenya's international donors see the draft as key to addressing underlying causes of regular election-linked violence in East Africa's economic powerhouse.
The new measures reduce the "winner takes all" nature of Kenyan politics, which encourages the power-hungry elite to inflame ethnic divisions at election time.
"There is a great sense that the new constitution will bring far greater economic and political stability, which can only be good for business," said Aly Khan Satchu, an economic analyst in Nairobi.
Kenya is Britain's main trading partner in East Africa, and is the base for regional headquarters of firms including Unilever, Diageo and Barclays.
It is also a frontline ally in the global campaign against
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
ummmm 60,000 police???
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