Raila seeks timeout on Kibaki succession politics

Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Monday asked for succession politics to be kept aside to allow for effective implementation of Kenya’s new Constitution.

He urged the media to steer clear of 2012 politics adding that the singular focus should be on the implementation of the Constitution. Kenya’s next General Election is due in 2012 when President Kibaki retires and would not be eligible for re-election by virtue of having served two terms.

“Parliament has an important role in the implementation process. It will not do its work adequately in a polluted atmosphere so give us a break on the politics.

“Not everyone who comes to visit me or Uhuru Kenyatta is building alliances. Even if I am building alliances with anyone it will remain a secret, I will not tell you,” he further said.

The media has been abuzz with reports of alliance building ahead of 2012. The alliance claims took new urgency after Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta led his family to a visit at the PM’s home two weeks ago in what was billed as being strictly a family affair.

On the other hand, Higher Education minister William Ruto has been credited with moves of reviving the Kikuyu-Kalenjin-Kamba (KKK) alliance that is allegedly to bring him into one political ship with Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Mr Kenyatta.

Victory Celebration

The PM spoke when he hosted a party for top government officials and MPs to celebrate the ‘Yes’ victory in the August 4 referendum. The party kicked off moments after a Cabinet reshuffle was announced.

The PM paid tribute to Kenyans for the good work they did during the exercise and called on them to remain united as the country moves towards the implementation of the new law.

“I feel so proud to be a Kenyan. When called upon at this critical time, they were not found to be wanting, they rose to the occasion,” he said.

He added, “I have received several congratulatory messages on how Kenya is now a great country. It has become a model worth emulating”.

The PM said the challenge now remains in implementing the document adding that their victory during the referendum would be hollow if they failed to bring it into effect.

“The second part of the process requires unity. We need to remain united until we deliver our promises,” he said.

Mr Odinga at the same time paid tribute to President Kibaki whom he said gallantly led the ‘Yes’ side to victory.

He said the President exhibited lots of energy which he did not expect. “He traversed various parts of the country including Meru, Embu, Kapkatet and others. He performed beyond my expectations,” the PM said.

And to that, he proposed a toast to the 'Green' team and the prosperity of the country.

Reconciliation

Others who spoke at the party at Mr Odinga’s Karen residence struck a reconciliatory tone urging Kenyans to unite.

They included Mr Deputy Prime Ministers Mr Kenyatta, Musalia Mudavadi and Energy Minister Mr Kiraitu Murungi.

Mr Kenyatta said that their victory during the referendum proved many people wrong, including a number of people in the international community who had predicted failure during the referendum.

He hailed President Kibaki and the Prime Minister’s leadership during the process saying these delivered the victory to their side.

He said that its now time to set aside personal interests in order to usher in a new Kenya.

Mr Mudavadi on his part said that their victory in the referendum will restore the confidence of many people in the country.

“Let us ensure that we go the extra mile and implement the new laws so that it could better the lives of many. Let us tighten the loose bolts and nuts and let us get to work.

Mr Murungi recounted their heydays during the agitation for a new constitution in 1992.

“The debate was at the time was whether we get a new constitution before elections or after. The Church at the time preferred elections before a new constitution,” he said.

Mr Murungi recalled: "Veteran politician Kenneth Matiba said that there was no point in pushing of a new Constitution at the time since they were sure that in a few days after the 1992 elections they would be in State House and hence would be better positioned to deliver it.

“Obviously we lost the elections. It has taken us all these years to realise Matiba’s dream,” he said.

Now the biggest challenge lies ahead. It is easier to say things than to do them. Politics is not about yesterday, it is about tomorrow. Let us forget about yesterday’s encounters and focus on building a new Kenya,” he added.