_____________________
SPEECH BY H.E. HON. MWAI KIBAKI, C.G.H., M.P., PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER‐IN‐CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA ON THE OCCASION OF THE PROMULGATION OF THE NEW CONSTITUTION,
FRIDAY, 27TH AUGUST, 2010
EXCELLENCIES,
FELLOW KENYANS,
Today is a great day for Kenya. 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. Through a referendum, on 4th August, the year Two Thousand and Ten, we, the people of Kenya, on the basis of our own free will, overwhelmingly voted to renew our nation and usher in the Second Republic.
I have today, as President of this great republic, appended my signature on Kenya’s New Constitution, as an affirmation of the endorsement of the basic law of the land. I thank the Almighty God for guiding us through the peaceful referendum and for enabling us to witness this historic moment.
On your behalf, I wish to appreciate all those who have contributed intellectually as well as through sheer hard work and commitment to the realization of our New Constitution. I also wish to pay tribute to all those patriotic Kenyans who suffered injuries or lost their lives, freedom and property in the struggle for the New Constitution. We thank them and salute them.
Fellow Kenyans,
This moment marks the decisive conclusion of the TWENTY‐YEAR journey in search of a new constitutional order. This New Constitution is an embodiment of our best hopes, aspirations, ideals and values for a peaceful and more prosperous nation. The New Constitution gives us renewed optimism about our country and its future.
Some of us were present at the birth of the First Republic. As young leaders, we envisioned turning our newly born country into a prosperous, healthy, and developed nation in a generation or two. A lot has been achieved towards this goal, but much more work remains to be done.
The New Constitution gives our nation a historic opportunity to decisively conquer the challenges that face us today. It provides us an avenue to renew our
fight against unemployment and poverty; an opportunity to work and become a developed people and nation.
As Kenyans, we should be proud for making history, as one of the few nations in
the world that have successfully replaced their Constitution in an atmosphere of
peace. I salute the Kenyan people for their courage, patience and determination
during this long and sometimes painful journey. This Constitution will fundamentally transform our nation politically, economically and socially. Some of the changes will be immediate and we must be ready to support them. Other changes will take time. We must remain resilient and focused as we work towards their fulfillment.
The changes envisaged in the New Constitution will present some challenges along the way. However, the New Constitution gives us better structures of governance to address the challenges more efficiently. Our resolve to complete the journey of our nation’s transformation must remain firm.
As we embark on the journey of national renewal, I ask all of us to keep in mind the vision of the NEW KENYA. A New Kenya, where we will no longer have people living in absolute poverty, or facing unemployment. A New Kenya where food insecurity will be a thing of the past. We are on the march towards a New Kenya where there will be more opportunities for employment and business. A New Kenya where there is better housing, healthcare and education for our people. A New Kenya where all citizens will lead productive and dignified lives. This is the promise of the New Constitution.
This promise is possible because we are blessed to have a talented and hard working population. The New Constitution is also a promise that every Kenyan, young and old, man or woman will unleash their full potential.
This is more so because we are a people with a diverse range of cultures, languages and other sources of human inspiration. The New Constitution accords each person, group of persons and cultures a place in the process of unprecedented social cohesion and national integration.
From this day on, the people of Kenya should embrace a new national spirit; a spirit of national inclusiveness, tolerance, harmony and unity. I appeal to Kenyans, individually and collectively, to build a nation that will be socially and economically inclusive and cohesive where all have equal access and opportunities to realize their full potential.
To the youth of our nation, I wish to assure you that the New Constitutional dispensation will create opportunities that will lead to the attainment of your goals and dreams. I see in the youth of Kenya a lot of promise, energy and creativity. As a country, we have to invest in our youth to enable them to harness their potential. It is the empowered youth that will make this country globally competitive.
Fellow Kenyans,
With the promulgation of this Constitution, we must change our approach to politics. We must enhance the role of truly competitive ideas and methods of getting the country to be a developed society in the shortest time possible.
The new institutions that will come with the national and county governments need the support of all Kenyans. More importantly, let us use the opportunities being offered by the county governments to develop all corners of the country. The devolved governments must be adequately anchored in readiness to make their contribution to the attainment of VISION TWENTY‐THIRTY.
The New Constitution will also usher in new ways of conducting public affairs, particularly in the elected and appointed state and public offices. This
Constitution’s leadership code and values makes it clear that people who will present themselves for public or state offices will have to be individuals of integrity, willing to be held accountable by the people and the institutions and laws of our country.
The New Constitution ensures that current and future leaders entrench integrity and fairness in the justice system, build a world‐class public service, and promote politics of issues and ideas. The leaders must guarantee that the Bill of Rights is enforced, and establish the framework to enable the national and county governments work harmoniously.
These leaders will be expected to facilitate the success of Kenyan businesses and industries as well as put in place land ownership and use systems that promote equity and productivity. The Grand Coalition Government has provided the required leadership for delivering the New Constitution. We are ready and fully committed to providing continued leadership in the implementation of this Constitution. We have a unity of purpose in enacting all the laws required to give full effect to the New Constitution.
In conclusion, I once again salute the Kenyan people for peacefully ushering in
the New Constitution. I also thank our international friends for their support and encouragement when we sought a New Constitution. I most sincerely thank the Heads of State and Government and all other distinguished foreign guests for honouring us with their presence to witness the ushering in of our New Constitution and the birth of our Second Republic.
I am confident that this Constitution will endure and stand the test of time. The dawn of a new era is upon us. Let us seize the moment with courage because the birth of the Second Republic holds great promise for the Kenyan people.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL NA MUNGU AIBARIKI KENYA.
EXCELLENCIES,
FELLOW KENYANS,
Today is a great day for Kenya. 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. Through a referendum, on 4th August, the year Two Thousand and Ten, we, the people of Kenya, on the basis of our own free will, overwhelmingly voted to renew our nation and usher in the Second Republic.
I have today, as President of this great republic, appended my signature on Kenya’s New Constitution, as an affirmation of the endorsement of the basic law of the land. I thank the Almighty God for guiding us through the peaceful referendum and for enabling us to witness this historic moment.
On your behalf, I wish to appreciate all those who have contributed intellectually as well as through sheer hard work and commitment to the realization of our New Constitution. I also wish to pay tribute to all those patriotic Kenyans who suffered injuries or lost their lives, freedom and property in the struggle for the New Constitution. We thank them and salute them.
Fellow Kenyans,
This moment marks the decisive conclusion of the TWENTY‐YEAR journey in search of a new constitutional order. This New Constitution is an embodiment of our best hopes, aspirations, ideals and values for a peaceful and more prosperous nation. The New Constitution gives us renewed optimism about our country and its future.
Some of us were present at the birth of the First Republic. As young leaders, we envisioned turning our newly born country into a prosperous, healthy, and developed nation in a generation or two. A lot has been achieved towards this goal, but much more work remains to be done.
The New Constitution gives our nation a historic opportunity to decisively conquer the challenges that face us today. It provides us an avenue to renew our
fight against unemployment and poverty; an opportunity to work and become a developed people and nation.
As Kenyans, we should be proud for making history, as one of the few nations in
the world that have successfully replaced their Constitution in an atmosphere of
peace. I salute the Kenyan people for their courage, patience and determination
during this long and sometimes painful journey. This Constitution will fundamentally transform our nation politically, economically and socially. Some of the changes will be immediate and we must be ready to support them. Other changes will take time. We must remain resilient and focused as we work towards their fulfillment.
The changes envisaged in the New Constitution will present some challenges along the way. However, the New Constitution gives us better structures of governance to address the challenges more efficiently. Our resolve to complete the journey of our nation’s transformation must remain firm.
As we embark on the journey of national renewal, I ask all of us to keep in mind the vision of the NEW KENYA. A New Kenya, where we will no longer have people living in absolute poverty, or facing unemployment. A New Kenya where food insecurity will be a thing of the past. We are on the march towards a New Kenya where there will be more opportunities for employment and business. A New Kenya where there is better housing, healthcare and education for our people. A New Kenya where all citizens will lead productive and dignified lives. This is the promise of the New Constitution.
This promise is possible because we are blessed to have a talented and hard working population. The New Constitution is also a promise that every Kenyan, young and old, man or woman will unleash their full potential.
This is more so because we are a people with a diverse range of cultures, languages and other sources of human inspiration. The New Constitution accords each person, group of persons and cultures a place in the process of unprecedented social cohesion and national integration.
From this day on, the people of Kenya should embrace a new national spirit; a spirit of national inclusiveness, tolerance, harmony and unity. I appeal to Kenyans, individually and collectively, to build a nation that will be socially and economically inclusive and cohesive where all have equal access and opportunities to realize their full potential.
To the youth of our nation, I wish to assure you that the New Constitutional dispensation will create opportunities that will lead to the attainment of your goals and dreams. I see in the youth of Kenya a lot of promise, energy and creativity. As a country, we have to invest in our youth to enable them to harness their potential. It is the empowered youth that will make this country globally competitive.
Fellow Kenyans,
With the promulgation of this Constitution, we must change our approach to politics. We must enhance the role of truly competitive ideas and methods of getting the country to be a developed society in the shortest time possible.
The new institutions that will come with the national and county governments need the support of all Kenyans. More importantly, let us use the opportunities being offered by the county governments to develop all corners of the country. The devolved governments must be adequately anchored in readiness to make their contribution to the attainment of VISION TWENTY‐THIRTY.
The New Constitution will also usher in new ways of conducting public affairs, particularly in the elected and appointed state and public offices. This
Constitution’s leadership code and values makes it clear that people who will present themselves for public or state offices will have to be individuals of integrity, willing to be held accountable by the people and the institutions and laws of our country.
The New Constitution ensures that current and future leaders entrench integrity and fairness in the justice system, build a world‐class public service, and promote politics of issues and ideas. The leaders must guarantee that the Bill of Rights is enforced, and establish the framework to enable the national and county governments work harmoniously.
These leaders will be expected to facilitate the success of Kenyan businesses and industries as well as put in place land ownership and use systems that promote equity and productivity. The Grand Coalition Government has provided the required leadership for delivering the New Constitution. We are ready and fully committed to providing continued leadership in the implementation of this Constitution. We have a unity of purpose in enacting all the laws required to give full effect to the New Constitution.
In conclusion, I once again salute the Kenyan people for peacefully ushering in
the New Constitution. I also thank our international friends for their support and encouragement when we sought a New Constitution. I most sincerely thank the Heads of State and Government and all other distinguished foreign guests for honouring us with their presence to witness the ushering in of our New Constitution and the birth of our Second Republic.
I am confident that this Constitution will endure and stand the test of time. The dawn of a new era is upon us. Let us seize the moment with courage because the birth of the Second Republic holds great promise for the Kenyan people.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL NA MUNGU AIBARIKI KENYA.
_________________
SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS HON. DR. STEPHEN KALONZO MUSYOKA, EGH, MP ON THE OCCASION OF THE PROMULGATION OF THE NEW CONSTITUTION OF KENYA, UHURU PARK,
NAIROBI, FRIDAY 27TH AUGUST 2010
Your Excellency Honourable Mwai Kibaki President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kenya
All visiting Heads of States and Governments
The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Raila Odinga
The Speaker of the National Assembly Hon Kenneth Marende
The Chief Justice Hon Evans Gicheru
Cabinet Ministers and Assistant Ministers
Members of Parliament
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Wakenya Wenzangu
It is tremendous privilege and honor that I stand here and salute you all on this very special occasion as we celebrate the inauguration of a new constitution of our Republic. This day is historic. It marks the beginning of a new era in the life of our great country. And for this significant achievement, I say thank you to God, and to Fellow Kenyans - Congratulations! Hongera Sana! We have emerged triumphant.
We can now look back with satisfaction at how much we have over the past decade consulted each other about how best our society should be governed. We have in the process written and re-written numerous drafts of our constitution until we overwhelmingly approved the final edition in a public referendum early this month, paving the way to this day's celebration.
Many countries around the world have moved forward to set the stage for a brighter future for their people. For us Kenyans, this day marks the beginning of our renaissance. We have taken the first - indeed the boldest - step in transforming our country into a great nation. We are now set to recapture and restore out 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.
1. Justice will be guaranteed for all, while our God given national resources will be exploited for the benefit of all. And on their part, leaders will be accountable to the people of Kenya .
2. Kenyans from all walks of life will be fully on board the bus of destiny - the youth, the aged, the disabled, and women who have traditionally been marginalized will now be fully included in social and political processes as a matter of constitutional right.
3. In short, Kenyans nationalism has shifted from a dream to a reality under the new constitutional order
Fellow Kenyans,
The dawn of the new era also portends tremendously well for our national pride, prestige and image in Africa and the world. By the single act of inaugurating a new and quality constitution, we have regained our honor. We shall regain the pride our heroes and our sportsmen and sportswomen such as Kipchoge Keino, Ben Jipcho Catherine Ndereba, and Rudisha bestowed upon us and raised our flag high in the eyes of the world. We shall once more be proud to profess that we are Kenyans.
The dawn of the new era also portends tremendously well for our national pride, prestige and image in Africa and the world. By the single act of inaugurating a new and quality constitution, we have regained our honor. We shall regain the pride our heroes and our sportsmen and sportswomen such as Kipchoge Keino, Ben Jipcho Catherine Ndereba, and Rudisha bestowed upon us and raised our flag high in the eyes of the world. We shall once more be proud to profess that we are Kenyans.
There is a sense in which our achievement in passing a new constitution marks an important beginning in the journey towards a new social and economic era for our country and our people. We must not lose sight of the reality that poverty and social distress in now the outstanding challenge that is facing us today. A lot of us have lived in and understand the enormity and dehumanizing characteristics of poverty and deprivation. Poverty hurts.
Therefore, time has come for every Kenyan to roll up his or her sleeves and work to create wealth and conquer poverty. We must create opportunities for investment in order to expand our economy and create jobs. The long queues of men and women walking from Kibera, Kawangware, Mathare, Uthiru and other suburban areas to Industrial Area and the city centre going to work in the morning must be replicated in the afternoon and evening as we move closer towards a 24 - hour economy.
This new dawn will only come once we shed off destructive, ethnic-based leadership and embrace a high moral value-based leadership style, such kind of leadership must focus on addressing economic and social needs of our people.
Finally, Fellow Kenyans
As we celebrate this great day, we should reflect upon the great sacrifices that others in the past and present have made in bringing our nation this far. We had our independence freedom fighters such as Ezekiel Apindi, Orkoiyot Koitalel Samoei, Moraa Moka Ngiti, Waiyaki wa HInga, Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi, W.W.W.Awori, Mekatilili wa Menza, and of course Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and the rest of the Kapenguria seven, among several others.
As we celebrate this great day, we should reflect upon the great sacrifices that others in the past and present have made in bringing our nation this far. We had our independence freedom fighters such as Ezekiel Apindi, Orkoiyot Koitalel Samoei, Moraa Moka Ngiti, Waiyaki wa HInga, Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi, W.W.W.Awori, Mekatilili wa Menza, and of course Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and the rest of the Kapenguria seven, among several others.
The NARC dream, personified by such luminaries as Professor Wangari Maathai, the late Kijana Wamalwa among others and the moral high ground it espoused has now, in earnest, been realized. Kenyans now, rightfully, belong.
And now I turn to Your Excellency Hon Mwai Kibaki. Thank you Mr. President. You have done us proud. You have led us all to the send republic; one that holds promise of a better future and good tidings. Mr. President you will leave behind an unassailable legacy that will, change the fortunes of this country for ever.
Wakenya Wenzangu
Katiba hii tunayozindua siku ya leo ni dhihirisho la mwanzo mpya na mwelekeo mpya wa Taifa letu la Kenya , Katiba hii itatuwezesha kufikia ufanisi mkubwa katika safari yetu ya kujenga taifa thabiti na lenye uongozi utakaoimarisha uchumi wetu na kuwanufaisha Wakenya wote popote walipo. Hasa uongozi katika vita dhidi ya adui msalia ambaye ni umaskini.
Kenya Hoiyee!
Katiba Mpya Hoiyee!
Ahsanteni sana !
Long live Kenya
God bless Kenya . God bless you all
Katiba hii tunayozindua siku ya leo ni dhihirisho la mwanzo mpya na mwelekeo mpya wa Taifa letu la Kenya , Katiba hii itatuwezesha kufikia ufanisi mkubwa katika safari yetu ya kujenga taifa thabiti na lenye uongozi utakaoimarisha uchumi wetu na kuwanufaisha Wakenya wote popote walipo. Hasa uongozi katika vita dhidi ya adui msalia ambaye ni umaskini.
Kenya Hoiyee!
Katiba Mpya Hoiyee!
Ahsanteni sana !
Long live Kenya
God bless Kenya . God bless you all
_________________________
SPEECH BY THE RT. HON. RAILA ODINGA, PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA, DURING THE ENACTMENT OF A NEW CONSTITUTION FOR KENYA AT UHURU PARK,
NAIROBI; AUGUST 27, 2010.
Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government
Your Excellencies the ambassadors;
Members of the diplomatic Corp;
Members of the diplomatic Corp;
Citizens and friends of Kenya:
Today, we mark the end of one journey, as we embark on the beginning of another.
On the Fourth of August this year, Kenyans stood one by one in the solitude of the polling booths and voted in favour of a new national Constitution. In that moment, so fleeting and yet so historic, decades of struggle for a better future were finally rewarded.
The Fourth of August will go down in history as the date on which we, the people of Kenya, formed a more united nation, and established the groundwork for justice, unity and the full blessings of liberty for ourselves and for posterity.
No one could have thought that out of the bitter harvest of the disputed election and the violence that pitted our people against each other just two years ago, we would be witnessing today the birth of a national unity that has eluded us for more than 40 years.
Today, we close a long chapter in our history. We put repression, exclusion and heroic struggle behind us once and for all. We have opened a clean new page in our book. On that page, we begin writing the story of an equal and just society.
We gather here now to ratify the pledge we made to ourselves and to the world, that Kenya shall redeem herself and extend the frontiers of democracy and freedom. This freedom has eluded us for more than forty years. Each time we came close to attaining it, it slipped from our grasp.
Each time we missed it; ever-greater repression seemed to replace the justice we sought.
But a time comes in the life of every nation when citizens have to choose between the status quo and a future that is full of promise.
In dedicating this Supreme Law, we pay our respects to those who walked this land before us, who saw its beauty, and who fought for fulfillment for all its citizens.
We remember Pio Gama Pinto, Josiah Mwangi Kariuki, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Alexander Kipsang Arap Muge, Masinde Muliro, George Anyona, Katama Mkangi, Jean Marie Seroney, Henry Okullu, among many others who struggled for this day to come but did not live to see it.
We honour Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia, Martin Shikuku, Wangari Maaithai, Chelagat Mutai, and the Young Turks of the Second Liberation who pushed us closer to this day.
These are but a few of the Kenyan patriots who sacrificed to make today a reality. At great risks to their lives, they challenged dictatorship.
They paid great prices to liberate our country from impunity. Collectively, we owe them a debt of gratitude. In the words of the late Sir Winston Churchill.... "Never have so many, owed so much, to so few..." We thank and honour our President, Mwai Kibaki, who has today signed into law what we endorsed on the Fourth of August.
In 1992, when multiparty politics were restored to our country, Mr Kibaki joined hands with the Opposition. Ten years later, he led our country into a new era and towards the Constitution that we now unveil.
We thank the Grand Coalition Government for pulling together to deliver this critical item of our National Accord. We salute the women and the youth of Kenya for their heroic participation in the rebirth of our Nation.
We owe gratitude to His Excellency Dr Kofi Anan, a true friend of Kenya, and the team of Eminent African Personalities who stood with us at our lowest moment in our history and helped us trace our way back into sanity.
We proclaim this new Supreme Law in the firm belief that lasting peace and security and prosperity for all can only come if we all enjoy freedom and justice as equals.
The promise of this new beginning will be challenged by our traditional enemies; corruption and negative ethnicity. We must be vigilant and stop corruption from stealing our future and negative ethnicity from weakening our nationhood.
To those in charge of public affairs, may public service be what it is; public service; not self-service. This new beginning must mark the end of shallow political partisanship and herald the start of mature competition among political parties.
To all the people of Kenya, I say, thank you for taking your destiny into your own hands.
Among us today are representatives of the international community, some of whom have stood with us in good and bad times as we have continued our search for these new laws. We thank you. This Constitution is our humble contribution to the culture of democracy and human rights worldwide that you represent.
It is our solemn pledge that never again shall the laws of our land divide and authorise the repression and oppression of our people.
I have never said this with a fuller heart: God bless you all, and God bless Kenya.
Thank you.
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