Geoffrey Mosoku

28 August 2010

Nairobi — THE birth of the Second Republic was marked with pomp and passionate appeals for Kenyans to embrace the opportunities offered by the new constitution.

The blueprint aims to decentralise political power, use the land more equitably and put checks and balances on the President to avoid a repeat of the 2007-08 post-election violence.

President Kibaki called it the "most important day" in Kenya's post-independence history. The new charter replaces the one dating back to independence in 1963.

Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka rallied Kenyans to re-dedicate themselves to the new values of nationhood.

"Today is a great day for Kenya," said Kibaki after promulgating the new constitution and taking his new oath of office.

"I salute all Kenyan citizens wherever they are. I feel honoured to be your President at this moment because this is the most important day in the history of our nation since independence." He said this concluded a 20-year journey and the new blueprint embodied "our country's best hopes, aspirations, ideals and values for a peaceful and more prosperous nation".

"The New Constitution gives our nation a historic opportunity to decisively conquer the challenges that face us today," said the President to a thunderous applause from thousands of Kenyans who thronged Uhuru Park to witness the occasion.

"It provides us an avenue to renew our fight against unemployment and poverty; an opportunity to work and become a developed people and nation." The event was accorded full military honours with a 21-gun salute, a military parade, an aerial display by the Air Force, a procession by the Central Organisation of Trade Unions and performances by renowned musicians and traditional dancers.

Kibaki said the new constitution demands a complete overhaul in our politics. "Leaders must be ready to be held accountable by ordinary Kenyans". It gives an opportunity to the state to develop all corners of the country.

Raila said it was the culmination of a 47-year-long marathon by Kenyans.

"We have opened a clean new page on our books. On that page we begin writing the story of an equal and just society,"

This would end a long chapter of betrayal, exclusion and dictatorship, Raila said. "It's a new page in our book. This freedom we are attaining today has eluded us for over forty years."

Raila took a jibe at some leaders he did not identify, whom he accused of taking on the culture of bats, which are neither birds nor mammals.

He said Kenyans had figured out the bats and defied them to get a new constitution.

Raila may have been referring to the leaders who actively opposed the new constitution but were at yesterday's ceremony or those who earned themselves the tag "watermelons" during the referendum.

Kalonzo said Kenya's nationalism had finally been transformed into a reality for all to see and enjoy.

"We are now set to recapture and restore our independence dreams and aspirations- the dreams of a united and prosperous nation. Under the new constitutional order, we will be able to reclaim our dignity as a people," Kalonzo said.

The aerial display by the Air Force was cancelled at the last minute due to bad weather.

Instead of the jets - including some of the recently acquired F-5 - the Air Force presented military choppers trailing banners 'God Bless Kenya' and 'Kenya Mpya' and a flypast of three M1-171 troop.

The thousands of people who packed the park started arriving as early as 4 am and by 7 am, the area reserved for the public was completely filled.

The drizzle did not dampen the mood of the crowd which broke out into song and chants as the time for the start of the ceremony drew near.

Shouts of applause greeted the invited guests who included regional presidents. There were cheers for some of the leaders and jeers for others including bursts of the chant "Yote Yawezekena Bila Moi" when retired President Moi was acknowledged.

The song was the rallying call of the then Narc opposition party during the 2002 general elections.

A surprise guest was Sudanese President Omar al Bashir who is wanted by the International Criminal Court where he is facing three counts of genocide. As a signitory to the ICC, Kenya is expected to arrest Bashir.

However, Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetangula said Bashir was a state guest and would not be arrested. "You do not harm or embarrass your guest. That is not African," Wetangula said.

Human rights groups condemned Bashir's presence and hastily organized a demonstration in the city centre late yesterday to protest the government's failure to arrest him.

Other leaders who attended the ceremony were Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, Zanzibar's Amani Abeid Karume and Comoros' Mohamed Abdallah. Also present were former presidents Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and John Kufuor of Ghana.

Former Secretary General of the UN Kofi Annan and representatives of all diplomatic missions based in Kenya also attended the ceremony.

Department of Defence spokesman Bogita Ongeri said the decision to cancel the aerial display was made as it would have been difficult for the public to see the jets as they carried out their manoeuvres.

"It was unfortunate that the bad weather cut short the air force display, otherwise it could have been one of the best," said Ongeri.

World leaders sent messages of congratulations to Kenyans for adopting the new constitution. UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the constitution offered the country a "renewed sense of confidence".

"This is a significant milestone and a proud time for Kenyans. It is also a memorable achievement for Kenya's Coalition Government. I commend the leadership shown by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga. I welcome the renewed sense of confidence this Constitution offers for the country's future," said Clegg.

After the Uhuru Park ceremony, the Members of Parliament took the new oath in Parliament while Ministers, assistant ministers and Service Commanders were sworn in at State House.

Kibaki, Raila and Kalonzo came to Parliament briefly to take their oath as MPs before they left for State House. The swearing in ceremonies took most of the day. Judges and magistrates will be sworn in this morning at different High Courts around the country.