African leaders confirm attendance for Kenya fete

Eight African heads of State, the Kofi-Annan led Panel of Eminent African Personalities, and former Ghanaian president John Kufuor are among dignitaries who have confirmed attendance for the Friday promulgation ceremony.

During a briefing to the media, Kenya's secretary to the Cabinet Amb Francis Muthaura indicated that presidents of Tanzania, Rwanda, Comoros, Somalia and Government of Southern Sudan as among those who would attend the occasion.

Three of the presidents who have confirmed attendance have not been identified.

The event, billed as the most important event since independence, will be marked with pomp and fanfare, with shows by the military being the highlight of the day.

On Wednesday, Kenya's military led by the top bosses continued their rehearsals in readiness for August 27, as crowds looked from early morning.

Uhuru Park, the venue of the ceremony, has been declared no-go zone from Wednesday afternoon to the actual day, and traffic will be diverted away from roads near the park.

According to a programme of events unveiled on Wednesday, Chief Justice Evans Gicheru will be the first to take oath of office.

President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and parliamentary Speaker Kenneth Marende will be sworn in that order.

The swearing in will be followed by a military and civilian march pasts followed by speeches by President Kibaki and other dignitaries.

After the Uhuru Park ceremony, guests are expected to proceed to State House for a luncheon.

Ministers, judges, permanent secretaries, and military and service commanders will be be sworn in at State House later in the afternoon, while Members of Parliament will take their oath the following day, Saturday, in Parliament. Magistrates and members of various commissions will be sworn in at the High Court.

Friday's promulgation will involve reading of the 'promulgation statement' by President Kibaki, and the signing of the new Constitution.

The signing will be followed by a 21-gun salute as a jumbo-size national flag is raised. The flag is expected to be a permanent national feature at the park.

The party to mark the beginning of a Second Republic will be replicated across the country, where district commissioners and local leaders will be holding ceremonies.

Kenyans wishing to attend the Uhuru Park ceremony must be seated at the venue early in the morning.

"The ceremony will begin early and we request all attending to be seated by 8:15 am," Amb Muthaura said at the briefing.

And on Tuesday, Police operations director Julius Ndegwa told journalists that his officers would cordon the grounds starting Wednesday to maximise Friday’s security. “On the actual day, members of the public will start coming in at 8am and all those entering the grounds will be frisked to ensure that everyone is safe,” Mr Ndegwa said.