Constitutional Referendum

This week Kenyans went to the polls to vote on a proposed constitution. Currently they use the one left over from independence in 1963. The main flaw in the old one is an imbalance of power between the executive and other branches of government. The proposed constitution fails to address this issue, although it does promote women's and land rights- two important issues that should be addressed as proposed bills in the legislature.

On Monday the 21st, Kenyans rejected the proposed constitution, 57-43%, with 55% of registered voters casting their ballot. The President and his administration had backed the proposed constitution, so its defeat did not bode well for the remaining two years of office. On Wednesday, the President sacked his entire cabinet, promising to reinstate a new one within two weeks. The opposition parties are pushing for him to dissolve Parliament as well, forcing elections much sooner than the present date in 2007.

So far things have been relatively peaceful. Life goes on, and for most people nothing has changed. As the politicians bicker and banter back and forth, the everyday person struggles to survive.

UPDATE: The President has dissolved parliament until further notice, and the opposition party is making demands for elections while holding outlawed rallies around the nation. As my coworker Mary remarked, "We no longer have a government." Still, life goes on and I see little change in people's lives. Please pray that all works out for the better.