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Suswa, July 30, 2010

President Mwai Kibaki addressing a 'Yes' rally at Suswa grounds, Narok North District.

President Mwai Kibaki has termed the forthcoming referendum on the new constitution a historical event whose significance to the nation and its citizens deserves unwavering support and unity of purpose.

President Kibaki noted that the prevailing unity of purpose among Kenyans and their leaders is a clear sign that the new constitution will be overwhelmingly voted for so as to usher in a new era in the country’s history.

Addressing a mammoth ‘Yes’ rally at the revered Suswa grounds in Narok North District today, President Kibaki affirmed that although Kenyans had previously failed in their attempts to enact a new constitution their determination to achieve it at the moment was unstoppable.

“This is a historical event for this country and its citizens. We pray that God protects Kenyans until their desire for a new beginning is realized,” said the Head of State.

President Kibaki particularly commended the unity demonstrated by leaders from the Maa community as well as leaders from other parts of the country and especially their determination to ensure the new constitution is realized.

The Head of State noted that unity among leaders fostered not only harmony and close relations among communities but also catalyzed grassroots development thus improving the lives of wananchi.

The President said that majority of Members of Parliament support the new constitution and urged them to maintain the unity even after the enactment of the new set of laws.

During the occasion, President Kibaki commended Rift Valley leaders for making a declaration to support the new constitution to ensure that Kenya reclaims its stature among the community of nations.

The President assured area residents that the Government was exploring ways of tackling development needs in the region with a focus on helping farmers to restock their animals which they lost to last year’s severe drought as well as to write off debts owed to the Agricultural Development Corporation.

Addressing the huge ‘Yes’ rally, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka said that the Suswa gathering was the final declaration among area residents in support of the new constitution.

The Vice-President urged area residents to join other Kenyans in writing a new chapter in the country’s history which would usher in comprehensive reforms in the management of the nation’s affairs.

Mr Musyoka said that President Kibaki’s selfless leadership and his determination to bequeath the country a solid foundation would become a hallmark in the management of national affairs in the continent and beyond.

He also supported calls to write off debts owed by the pastoralist communities to various agricultural development corporations as well as assistance to restock their animals after the previous severe drought in the country.

The Vice-President affirmed that President Kibaki’s love of the country was unwavering and was his guiding principle throughout his public service.

Several leaders, drawn from all parts of the country, who addressed the meeting acknowledged that the ripe moment for the nation’s rebirth had arrived and there was no turning back.

Noting that Kenyans had made the final decision to pass the new constitution, they urged opponents of the new constitution to join other Kenyans in crossing over to the ‘promised land’.

The leaders noted that the new constitution would act as a vehicle to unite as well as uplift the lives of all Kenyans thus according quality lives in accordance to the wishes of the nation’s founding fathers.

They further thanked Kenyans for disregarding falsehoods being spread by opponents of the new constitution whom they accused of being driven by selfish interests.

Cabinet ministers who addressed the huge rally included Prof. George Saitoti, William ole Ntimama, Kiraitu Murungi, Amos Kimunya, Prof. Anyang’ Nyongo, Charity Ngilu, Franklin Bett and several assistant ministers. Over 30 legislators and many grassroots leaders drawn from various parts of the country attended the mammoth rally.