Kufuor arrives for ceremony

Former Ghanaian President John Kufuor. FILE


Posted Thursday, August 26 2010 at 11:13

Former Ghanaian president John Kufuor arrived here early morning on Thursday, a day before the proclamation of Kenya’s new constitution.

Mr Kufuor, who is staying at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi, is among dignitaries from around the continent who are expected into the country to grace the Friday ceremony.

Eight African heads of State including Tanzania’s Jakaya Kikwete, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed (Somalia) Ahmed Abdalla Sambi (Comoros) and Salva Kiir Mayardit (South Sudan) are among those who have confirmed attendance.

Former UN secretary General Kofi Annan and fellow members of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities, who include South Africa’s first lady Graca Machel and former Tanzanian president President Benjamin Mkapa are also expected to jet in.

Mr Annan and his team mediated the dispute that arose from Kenya's 2007 General Elections, where more than 1,000 people and hundreds of thousands others were displaced in the ensuing post-election mayhem.

Mr Kufuor last visited the country at the height of the violence, just before the Kofi Annan-led panel took over the mediation. He met the contesting parties, President Kibaki and Raila Odinga, but by the time he left the two had not met together.

At the time, he was chairman of the African Union, and it is understood that he had proposed the appointment of the former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, Graca Machel and former President Mkapa to carry forward Africa’s efforts to resolve the Kenya crisis.

Three years on, Kenya's is set to usher in a new era, which became clear after Kenyans voted in the new law at the August 4 referendum.

On Thursday, final preparations continued at the Uhuru Park venue, in readiness for the event, which will likely be the biggest ceremony since 1964 when Kenya became a republic.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga will both be sworn in at the venue on Friday. Together with the Vice President, the Chief Justice and National Assembly Speaker, they will swear allegiance to obey, respect, preserve, defend and uphold the new Constitution.

Ministers, Members of Parliament and other State officials will take the oath later on.