Kibaki's rallying cry to Kenyans: Register as voters

President Kibaki used the country's 49th Jamhuri Day to urge Kenyans to register as voters in readiness for the March 2013 General Election.

The Head of State made the call as he asked Kenyans to ensure they “elect honest, visionary and hardworking leaders, who have the concern of Kenyans at heart”.

“Take advantage of the remaining one week and register as voters in order to participate in the forthcoming General Election. Registering to vote will enable you to carry out your civic duty of electing your leaders.

"You’ll also be choosing the policies with which you want to be governed. Registering to vote gives you the power to determine the future and destiny of Kenya,” said President Kibaki at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium Wednesday.

Though he sat and walked side by side with his Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, both who have expressed their intent to succeed him, Mr Kibaki steered clear of succession politics.

He called on Kenyans to be tolerant of divergent views, and ensure that there’s peace in the country before, during and after the next elections.

Instead, he went on to list what he considered his achievements, and with empirical data, enumerated what he had done during his decade in power.

And as if to answer his critics, who’ve questioned the distribution of the infrastructure projects, and the fluid security situation in the country, the President chose to respond to them in his off-the-cuff remarks.

“Wale wanaosema asante waseme, wale ambao hawana la kusema wasiseme chochochote. Kwa sababu yale tumefanya yanaonekana,” he said. (Those who want to say thank you, are free to do so. If you’ve nothing to say, don’t speak. What we’ve done, is all over. Everyone can see.)

The Head of State waxed nostalgic about the promulgation of the Constitution, two years ago, terming it as one of his “most memorable moments” in his tenure. He said the Constitution was the “foundation for current and future development”.

President Kibaki said the job of ensuring the country achieved a middle-income status by 2030, will now rest with the leaders both at the county level and in the national government. He said all those in these positions “must harness the enormous potential of the resources of the people of Kenya”.

“Kenya is now at the age of a take-off, for better prosperity, and equity. We must keep our eyes on the goal of building a great Kenya for present and future generation,” said President Kibaki.

He once again promised to contain the runaway insecurity in the country, especially, the re-emergence of criminal gangs, terrorism, cattle-rustling, and lawlessness.

“As the Commander-in-Chief, I want to assure you that we will deal decisively, with any group that threatens peace and security in the country,” he said.

“A secure environment is the foundation of our nation’s development effort. The government is fully committed in providing adequate security. Ongoing reforms in the security sector will enhance the capacity of the security agencies to provide adequate services to the people”.

To buttress his credentials as one who got the country’s economy back on its feet, the president said that when he took over, there were one million bank accounts , but right now there are over 20 million accounts, as a result of mobile money innovations.

Mr Odinga lauded the coalition government for a job well-done.

"The delivery has not been 100 per cent, but Kenya changed remarkably and positively under this coalition,” said Mr Odinga.

“I must also pay special tribute to my partner in this coalition, our President, His Excellency Mwai Kibaki for the leadership, the patience and the compromises that made us come this far.”

Mr Odinga repeated his call for voters to register and said that after elections next year, it will be a time “for renewal, revival and restoration".

“To realise our aspirations and the promises that stand before us, we will need to elect a credible, focused and committed leadership that will implement the constitution in letter and spirit.”

Mr Musyoka urged Kenyans to preach unity, "embrace nationalism and shun tribalism".

"Let us all take this as an individual responsibility," the VP said.