Annan tells Kibaki, Raila to lead reform under new laws

By SAM OTIENO AND OSCAR ONBONYO

Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has lauded Kenyans on attaining the new Constitution, but cautioned a lot of work still needs to be done.

Dr Annan, who was the chief mediator in talks that ended the 2007 post-election crisis, challenged President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to take forward the reform process and spearhead the implementation of the new Constitution.

"The two leaders have made Kenya and Africa proud," he said.

Annan described the passing of the new laws as a very important step to build a solid foundation of democracy.

He praised Kibaki and Raila for steering the country into unity, but said everyone should support the implementation.

"This is not just an event but a process, which will take time," said Annan who addressed the Press briefly at Serena Hotel, Nairobi, yesterday afternoon.

He said it was important for Kenyans to maintain unity of purpose to ensure a smooth implementation. He, however, declined to comment on the controversy surrounding the presence of Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir at the ceremony.

Annan arrived in 2008 a sick man and on medication but ended up giving the country a lasting prescription of an even better medicine — the fast tracking a new Constitution.

And yesterday the man who gave Kenya renewed hope watched with satisfaction as his labour bore fruits. Although they anxiously waited for him to address the nation, wananchi who had thronged Uhuru Park felt let down when the opportunity did not arise.

In in an interview with Martin Griffiths, the Director of Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, the top diplomat recalls how he defied doctors’ instructions to come to the rescue of Kenya.

Throughout the period he was in Kenya, Annan had massive doses of antibiotics. He left hospital on a Monday, and proceeded to Kenya on a Tuesday. Other members of the Annan-team were former Tanzania president Benjamin Kappa, and Dr Graca Machel, wife to former South African President Nelson Mandela.