Kenyans Vote on Constitution

Kenyans vote today in a referendum on a proposed constitution which has split the government and risks causing political violence. President Mwai Kibaki is leading a yes campaign, while seven cabinet ministers are campaigning for a no vote. The constitution aims to improve governance in a state blighted by corruption.

The no campaigners say the proposal waters down a draft which would have trimmed the powers of the presidency and created a powerful prime minister as a counter-weight. Yes campaigners say an elected president should not surrender too much power to an unelected prime minister. The two are represented by fruit symbols: a banana for yes and an orange for no.

Mr Kibaki, 74, risks the political survival of his fragile coalition government, which began in 2003 promising a fresh start for Kenya but has faced allegations of sleaze.

There were riots in Nairobi for three days in July when the draft constitution was published. At least one person was killed. Another eight have been killed at campaign rallies. Observers said the final yes rally drew markedly fewer supporters than the no rally. The referendum threatens to provoke an ethnic split. The no leader, roads minister Raila Odinga, draws strong support from his Luo tribe while the president is backed by his Kikuyu tribe, the single biggest ethnic group.

Results are due early tomorrow.