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Kenya Publishes Draft Constitution


The Kenyan government has published a final draft of a new constitution, setting the scene for what is expected to be a bitter political fight over whether it should be adopted.

The proposed text is the largest overhaul of Kenya's constitution since independence from Britain in 1963 and has drawn fierce supporters and detractors.

The 197-page draft allows the president to keep most of his powers. It also creates Kenya's first prime minister, but ensures the post is relatively weak.

Kenyans are to vote on the proposed constitution in a national referendum later this year.

Critics say the draft does not curb the president's power enough. Allies of President Mwai Kibaki argue there should not be two centers of power.

In July, several days of protests over the proposed constitution left one person dead.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.

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