LIVETEXT - Witnessing a new Kenya born

Kenyans ushered in a new era on Friday at a grand ceremony in the capital Nairobi, as President Kibaki signed in into law a new constitution.
Follow the live text report of the event as it happened…

1:10pm - See a picture gallery of Kenya's promulgation day. You can also download President Kibaki's speech. Later, Members of Parliament and Judges will be sworn in.

1:07pm - Something interesting to note: Raila is a trending topic worldwide on the social media network Twitter. This must be big.

12:52pm - The VIPs start leaving the Uhuru Park venue starting with heads of State.. President Kibaki will be hosting a State luncheon for them later at State House.

12:45pm - Dignitaries get doves, and they are now ready to release them. Balloons in the colour of the national flag are also released as a sign of the new dawn.

12:43pm - President Kibaki is through with his speech. He opts not to go off the cuff and only utters "Asanteni sana na Mungu awabariki". The orderly asks Kenyans to sing the National Anthem to mark the end of the ceremony.

12:37pm - Kibaki: With the new constitution, we must change approach to politics. He gives an example of the new counties, which, "need support of all Kenyans to develop all corners of the country."

12.24pm Prime Minister Raila Odinga invites President Kibaki to read his speech and Kibaki pays tribute to all Kenyans that suffered for the sake of the country and describes it as the rebirth of a nation.

Tanzania is represented by Zanzibari President Sheikh Abeid Karume

12:17pm - Raila switches to Kiswahili. It is noteworthy that the new law recognises the language as an official language. His message is the same - that 'the time has come.'

12.07pm - Prime Minister Raila Odinga delivers his speech and likes it to a race in ancient Greece. The crowd cheers on as Raila pauses in his speech.

He says today marks the end of one journey, to the beginning of another.

He says August 4th will be a historic day when 'we formed a more united Kenya.' Says nobody could have thought that after the violence, this could have happened. "We close a chapter in our history"

He saluted past Kenyan independence heroes who had sacrificed their lives for the new Kenya. He dedicates this supreme law to his predecessors like Pio Gama Pinto, JM Kariuki, Masinde Muliro, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenneth Matiba, Wangari Maathai and others "who sacrificed to make today a reality."

12.00 noon - Speeches begin with Kalonzo Musyoka congratulating Kenya on the promulgation of the new constitution. ‘HONGERA TENA SANA’ he says.

This day marks the beginning of our renaissance, Mr Musyoka added.

11.50am - Statehouse choir of 120 members joins local leading performing artists in performing the song , Kenya, My Kenya,’ written by Achieng Abura.

11:45am - And singer Eric Wainaina sings Daima Kenya, the song that became almost like an anthem during Kenya's post-election violence period in 2008. The song urges Kenyans to be patriotic and united.