Kibaki: Raila will remain my friend

In what could usher in a new political landscape, President Kibaki said Prime Minister Raila Odinga was his friend and they will remain together after the realisation of a new constitution.

"We are friends and we are together. Why don’t we hold together and remain together after the achievement of a new constitution and work together to complete the work?" said Kibaki.

"We should not fall back after the new constitution. Nothing should change and we should work together," said Kibaki.

Speaking during a leaders’ forum at the Yatch Club in Kisumu, President Kibaki welcomed Raila back to the ‘Yes’ campaign trail.

"I welcome Raila back to the field. We had to continue without him and it was difficult. All of us feel joyful to have him back," said Kibaki.

Raila said President Kibaki and his team worked overdrive to carry the ‘Yes’ flag across the country.

"President Kibaki found new strength and worked like a horse. I feel proud to rejoin the winning team as a substitute. I am confident that by August 5, we shall have a new nation," he said.

Kibaki told the leaders about a recent meeting with Raila where he retraced the road to the constitutional struggle 25 years ago, and why it was important to give Kenyans a new constitution.

"Think of the time we have struggled to get the changes. It started when we were young and people have to remember that in four days we shall have a new constitution. It is a joy to be here and to see the changes," Kibaki said.

Meanwhile, Kisumu residents turned up in their thousands to welcome Kibaki and Raila as they took the ‘Yes’ campaign to the lakeside town.

Raila, who adorned green shirt and cap, waved to the passionate crowd as the convoy of over 200 vehicles snaked its way to the Yatch Club from the Kisumu Airport on Saturday, a few minute after 11am.

On Saturday, it was a symbolic show of unity and power, as a sea of humanity jammed the roads from the airport, where the leaders passed through.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka was warmly welcomed in Kisumu.

Along Oginga Odinga Street, residents waved placards and fliers bearing ‘Yes’ campaign messages. Others stood on different floors of storey buildings, perhaps to have a better view.

"I have been here since morning waiting to see Raila as word went round that he would attend today’s ‘Yes’ rally," said Peter Onyango, a shoe seller in the town.