The Kenyan authorities on Friday panicked over remarks on coup made by two ministers, who said the country's security has been put in high alert ahead of next month's referendum on the proposed new constitution.

National Security Minister John Michuki warned that any attempts to plot a coup like a 1982 botched attempt to overthrow ex-president Daniel arap Moi would fail.

"This will not be allowed and our security forces have been on the alert because we have been aware of their intentions," Michuki told a news conference in Nairobi.

On Thursday, two cabinet ministers -- Roads Minister Raila Odinga and his environment counterpart, Kalonzo Musyoka reportedly said the draft constitution exposed Kenya to a risk of a military coup if voters approve it in a referendum in November 21.

The duo, who opposed the proposed new constitution, reportedly said that disgruntled military men might one day be tempted to act because the proposed new constitution was in effect impossible to amend.

"Once this draft goes through, it will be impossible to amend it and if you have a constitution that cannot be amended, you are effectively inviting military takeover in future," Musyoka was quoted as saying.

President Mwai Kibaki, who came to power in December 2002 on a platform of a new constitution, pledged a new document within the first 100 days in office, a promise that he failed to keep.

Activists perceived reform, as a way of clipping the wings of Kenya's strong-men leaders.

The ultimate goal was also to update Kenya's independence constitution, to offer stronger protection for the rights of the ordinary people.

Contentious issues in the draft constitution, including reduction of presidential powers and creation of an executive prime minister's post, have been the reason for the split and political infighting within the ruling coalition.

Source: Xinhua