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Nairobi, May 30, 2006

President Mwai Kibaki receives the report on the road map in the Review of the Constitution from the committee of Eminent Persons led by it's Chairman Dr. Bethuel Kiplagat at State House, Nairobi.

We will consult widely to deliver a new constitution, President says

President Mwai Kibaki has assured Kenyans that his Government will consult widely to ensure that the country gets a new constitution.

The President said that he stood for dialogue and believed that the majority of Kenyans were still eager to get a constitution that will serve present and future generations.

“Its our job to facilitate the enactment of a new constitution that reflects the wishes of the majority Kenyans, and we should not give up because different people have varying opinions,” the President said.

He was speaking today at State House Nairobi when he received the report from the committee of eminent persons he appointed early this year to provide a road map for the conclusion of the constitution review process.

President Kibaki also reassured Kenyans that the Government will consult widely and discuss with other leaders and ordinary Kenyans on how the country could get a new constitutional dispensation.

“We will engage other stakeholders, because we believe that the constitution is an important document and I commend this committee for seeking the opinion of many Kenyans on the way forward,” said the President.

Speaking when he presented the report to the President, the chairman of the committee of eminent persons Ambassador Bethuel Kiplaglat thanked the Government for allowing his team to conduct the exercise without any interference.

Amb. Kiplagat said the committee worked tirelessly and received views from wananchi and organizations from different parts of the country.

He pointed out that what emerged from wananchi’s views and a survey conducted by the committee indicated that majority of Kenyans would like a new constitution.

Amb. Kiplagat added that views from wananchi also revealed that Kenyans would like to see a people-driven review process that is devoid of political interference.

“Kenyans want to see more commitment from politicians across the divide to ensure that future constitution making process is a serious national affair that can give the country a sacred and living document,” Amb. Kiplagat said.

On healing and reconciliation, the chairman of the committee of eminent persons expressed the need to bring all Kenyans together and incorporate their views in the review process.

Stressing the importance of making the constitution, Amb. Kiplagat said nothing should be allowed to hamper the conclusion of the review process, and there was need to look ahead and not always look at the past.

“We must not allow anything to stand in the way of the constitution. It is better to have a good constitution without worrying about when it will be completed. This is the way forward,” Amb. Kiplagat said.

Present were Ministers Martha Karua and Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Permanent Secretary Dorothy Angote and other members of the committee of eminent persons.