Kibaki plans peace talks ahead of polls
Next year’s power transition when President Kibaki will hand over to a new president took centre state at the national day celebrations on Monday.
Mr Kibaki, giving what could be his last Jamhuri Day address at the Nyayo National Stadium, appeared to stake his legal on a peaceful hand-over of power and announced an inter-party conference early next year to lay the ground for free and fair elections.
“We will be convening a pre-election national cohesion and reconciliation conference early next year,” he said.
President Kibaki said the government was preparing for the elections by setting up institutions, passing laws and regulations that will guide the first polls under this constitution. (READ: Next elections a make or break for Kenya)
“As we are aware, our country will hold the General Election next year. I call upon our leaders to bear in mind that our country’s future and destiny is greater than the interests of any one individual,” he said.
Addressing the 48th Jamhuri Day celebrations at the Nyayo National Stadium, President Kibaki challenged those aspiring to succeed him to put the national good ahead of personal gain.
“I wish to state that the stability of our country must always guide our decisions and actions,” he said.
He cited the constitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the enactment of the Political Parties Act and the Elections Act among the bold steps taken to protect the credibility of elections and enhance governance.
The IEBC will supervise the elections, the Political Parties Act guides operations of parties, while the Elections Act spells out how the polls would be held.
“I am confident that with the revamped institutions in place as well as a robust legal framework, Kenya will have a free, fair and peaceful General Election next year,” he said.
The President spoke in the presence of leaders poised to succeed him, among them Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta. (SEE IN PICTURES: Kenya's 48th Jamhuri Day)
Also in attendance were Cabinet ministers, Chief of Kenya Defence Forces, General Julius Karangi, and National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende.
This comes barely a week after former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan urged the coalition partners to prepare for peaceful elections to break the cycle of violence that engulfed the country in 2007 following disputed presidential election results. (READ: Annan says 2012 polls key to Kibaki and Raila legacy)
Besides the electoral institutions and laws, he said reforms in the Judiciary had restored Kenyans’ confidence in the courts.
“Kenyans now expect that the reformed Judiciary will deliver speedy and just conclusions to the many cases that have taken long to be heard and determined by our courts,” he said.
Mr Odinga said the fruits of the new Constitution will start to be felt after the 2012 elections.
“We can only achieve the next stage of our emancipation by emulating that unity (of our fore fathers who fought for independence as a unit). Let policies and ideologies define our politics, not our tribes and regions,” he said.
Mr Musyoka challenged Kenyans to push for fair elections, good governance and implementation of the Constitution.
“We are getting into a New Year, we know it will be an election year that will be peaceful. Kenyans should have no worries about it,” Mr Musyoka said.
In New York, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the country had made good progress in reforms.
“Together we are working to strengthen democracy, encourage greater stability and promote prosperity in Kenya and throughout the region,” Mrs Clinton said in a Jamhuri Day message to Kenyans.
