Paul Ilado,Francis Mureithi and Isaac Ongiri

27 August 2010

Nairobi — WE usher in the new constitution today and open a new chapter in Kenya's history.

In a huge ceremony at Uhuru Park this morning, President Kibaki sets the country on a new road of prosperity and change.

After the promulgation the clock starts ticking on Chief Justice Evan Gicheru and Attorney General Amos Wako who are to leave in six months to one year.

Thus begins the countdown to the establishment of strong independent institutions which will guarantee political stability, economic development and respect for the rule of law.

But Kenyans have to wait a little longer for the full benefits of the new constitution.

Parliament needs to put in place the new laws through 49 bills within five years.

However, most provisions of the Bill or Rights take immediate effect - no waiting for new legislation. This includes dual citizenship among basic rights such as access to clean water, food, education and health.

The promulgation clears the way for the establishment of 10 independent commissions and two independent offices, that is the Auditor-General and the Controller of Budget.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga yesterday met at Harambee House to discuss how to set in motion the implementation.

Top on the agenda was the composition of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Implementation and Oversight whose members will be named next week.

Parties have been calling for the expansion of the committee to 21 but the two principals are said to be keen on a membership of 15. The ODM gets eight and PNU seven slots.

The two principals also discussed the composition of the Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution.

Raila and Kibaki also briefly met members of the Cabinet Committee on Implementation named early this week.

Sources revealed the two principals also discussed urgent Bills needed kickstart the implementation.

These are the Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution Bill, Commission on Revenue Allocation Bill, Vetting (of Judges and Magistrates) Tribunal Bill, and the Judicial Service Commission Bill.

The Cabinet committee led by Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo also met at Harambee House to discuss these Bills.

Elsewhere, the Interim Independent Constitutional Dispute Resolution Court yesterday dismissed the only remaining case that was standing in the way of today's ceremony. The five-judge bench ruled that stopping the event would be a disaster for the country.

And instead of being sworn in tomorrow as had earlier been planned, MPs will be sworn in this afternoon at Parliament Buildings after the promulgation ceremony at Uhuru Park.

President Kibaki is expected at 9.15 am at Uhuru Park.

The promulgation sets the stage for 2012 elections to usher in 349 MPs, 67 senators, 47 governors and hundreds of councillors.

Also to be created are the Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission, the National Land Commission, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the Parliamentary Service Commission, the Judicial Service Commission and the Commission on Revenue Allocation.

Others are the Public Service Commission, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, the Teachers Service Commission and the National Police Service Commission.