Opposition calls for a national referendum to reform the Kenyan constitution are premature, the leaders of the Anglican Church of Kenya said last week

Opposition calls for a national referendum to reform the Kenyan constitution are premature, the leaders of the Anglican Church of Kenya said last week, urging politicians to moderate their language to prevent further outbursts of political violence. In a statement read to the media on 26 Sept 2014 by Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, the AKC said: “Kenya’s political leaders need to consider a platform for coming together to reason out contentious issues and not use political rhetoric and sarcasm through public rallies.” Calls for a referendum made by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy’s (CORD) and Council of Governors’ were unhelpful. “Are we proposing amendments to a Constitution we are yet to fully implement?” the archbishop asked. “We appreciate that the call for referendum is a Constitutional provision and rights but this should not be laced with personal interests and proof of political prowess,” he said, but “as a church, we urge for a renewed allowance for unconditional dialogue to address the issues raised … We as Church leaders therefore do call upon the government, opposition and Kenyans to reason together,” said Archbishop Wabukhala.