WEDNESDAY, 5.30PM
ADVOCATES of constitutional reform in Kenya on Wednesday gave President Daniel arap Moi an ultimaltum to accept constitutional negotiations or face a general strike.
The ultimatum was handed down late on Tuesday by opposition figures, 22 religious leaders and the executive council of the National Convention Assembly, the umbrella organisation seeking the reforms, Assembly official John Munuve said. A report on Wednesday in the independent Daily Nation said the group had given Moi until noon (0900GMT) on Thursday to agree to negotiations with religious leaders as mediators, otherwise they will go ahead with their call for a nationwide general strike on Friday.
The reformists want the government to suspend preparations for yet-to-be scheduled general elections pending an agreement on constitutional reforms, and to withdraw draft legislation the government is proposing as reforms.
Calling the strike is the boldest move yet by the reformists since they began agitating for change four months ago. A general strike would be yet another blow to the East African nation’s economy. Last week the International Monetary Fund suspended a $220-million loan, saying the government has not done enough to fight corruption and mismanagement.