Kenya: Media owners to lobby for new constitution

Media owners on Monday raised the alarm over attempts to derail the search for a new constitution.

 

Their association, however, said it would drum up support for constitution-making to ensure that Kenyans get the chance to decide whether or not to have a new set of laws.

 

Speaking at a press conference at the Serena Hotel on Monday, Media Owners Association (MOA) chairman Linus Gitahi said the necessity of getting a new constitution should not be stopped by those who do not support the process.

 

“Only the mwananchi will decide whether or not they like the constitution. Any effort to scuttle the process will be resisted by the media owners as we do our work,” said Mr Gitahi, who is also the chief executive officer of the Nation Media Group.

 

He said MOA was “a bit concerned that there seems to be some efforts, although not coordinated, to derail the constitution-making process” and which would take Kenya back in the search for a new constitutional order.

 

“We are involved in a very critical process to deliver a new constitution. We are going to do everything possible to protect that process.”

 

Mr Gitahi attributed the association’s concern to careless statements by politicians, some of whom have been calling for fresh elections and whose remarks could lead to a breakdown of the process.

 

Standard Group deputy chairman Paul Melly said while the media would continue in their competition as businesses, they would maintain a common stand to resist those that would want the process to break down.

 

“This is an area where we are not competing. It is an aspect where there is convergence of opinions in the interests of public opinion,” said Mr Melly.

 

MOA’s statements come in the wake of fighting between the two wings of the government, sparking fears that the real intention was to lead to a falling out over the constitution.

 

A new constitution was among the priority targets set at the formation of the coalition government.

 

-February 22, 2010 by John Ngirachu 

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Source: www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/866792/-/vqm247/-/index.html (accessed on 24.02.10)