Walter Menya and Joy Wanja

5 August 2010

Nairobi — The Committee of Experts has dedicated the Yes victory to all Kenyans who lost their lives or were maimed in the search of a new Constitution for Kenya.

"The Yes vote is a priceless honour of Kenyan heroes who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for a new constitutional order," said commission chairman Nzamba Gitonga Thursday.

The senior counsel also welcomed the decision by the No campaign to concede defeat following Wednesday's referendum on the proposed law saying it was a sign of maturity.

"The spirit of welcoming defeat is a giant step forward."

Mr Kitonga dedicated the passage of the new Constitution to victims of the freedom fighters, heroes of the second liberation their families and relatives. But the CoE boss downplayed the Reds' assertion that there were contentious issues in the document that will soon become the country's constitution.

"We don't agree that they are contentious."

According to Mr Kitonga, the contentious issues the No team had raised including the provisions on abortion, land and kadhis courts were conclusively discussed at the various forums preceding the August 4 vote.

Some of the contentious issues, he explained, might prove difficult to resolve.

The CoE chairman also reserved special praise for the Interim Independent Electoral Commission for the manner in which it conducted the polls.

"The polls were very transparent and efficient. It shows the kind of management of elections that can help Kenya to have a national stability," he said.

The Yes victory too was a statement that Kenyans appreciated the many hours we spent toiling for a new Constitution.

In a separate press briefing at Bomas, Katiba Sasa group called for the resignation of Cabinet ministers in the No team in the spirit of ushering in the new Constitution.

Flagged by Rev Timothy Njoya, the group lauded Kenyans for voting peacefully and termed the referendum outcome as a victory for all Kenyans.