Poll: Teams reach out to one another, say all Kenyans won

By Standard Team

The triumphant team rejoiced in its victory at the referendum finish line in euphoric bliss and electrifying cheer. But it still acknowledged it was Kenya and democracy that won. The side that lost conceded defeat with grace and humility, because in the words of its de facto leader, Higher Education Minister William Ruto, the people of Kenya had spoken. "Kenyans have spoken and we respect their decision. All Kenyans are winners," said Ruto, whose side trailed the ‘Yes’ team by three million votes as the final tally took shape.

It was a picture of a nation split by the bruising referendum campaigns, but eager to reach out to each other with an olive branch at hand and face the future with unity, confidence and sense of duty to the nation.

Kenyans woke up to a new day in which, through a popular vote the people planted yet another milestone in the evolution of the country’s democratic pillars, by replacing its 47-year-old Independence constitution.

On the frontal steps of the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, and before many Kenyans swept off their feet by the ecstasy of peaceful and silent ‘Green’ revolution, President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga welcomed the victory.

But both were emphatic the harder part lies ahead, and the triumph was just a step in the historic journey to transforming Kenya. The days beckoning ahead, they said powerfully and optimistically, were better and bore and even bigger promises.

Challenges ahead

The mood of the moment was discernible in the way the President lost his cool, and told off the noisy youth who had minutes earlier shouted down Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka when he took the microphone to address them. "If you make noise who will listen to you?" asked the President, then added: "First keep quiet and listen then you can thereafter go and shout at the world,’’ said the President, who appeared keen to read his speech, and get done with the business of the day.

There was also concession challenges lie ahead, and Kenyans should brace themselves to confront them.

"The journey ahead of national renewal will not be easy. There will be challenges. But it is important that we look forward with renewed optimism to better days ahead,’’ said Kibaki.

He added: "Those who have expressed different views about some of the issues in the new constitution will continue to be listened to within the vibrant democratic institutions established under the new constitution."

On those who opposed the new constitution, whose promulgation date he announced in what could hint he would sign into law under public glare, the President assured Kenyans: "After all democracy is about accepting the verdict of the majority while at the same time giving room for accommodation of the minority." He opened his speech with a celebration of the moment, a reflection of the past, and a leap into the future with confidence: "We are happy to welcome provisional results of the referendum. The historic journey we began over 20 years ago is coming to a happy ending."

Raila, who signed the peace deal that saved the country from sliding into the cesspit of collapsed States in February 2008, following disputed presidential election results, declared the ‘Big Team’ had won.

He paid tribute to the President to whom he said he was the substitute captain, as well as Kalonzo, Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta, and Musalia Mudavadi, and the Cabinet, Parliament and citizenry for their role in the clean sweep.

Work starts now

"Change has finally come to our land. It has come because we refused to give up. It has come because finally, we agreed to work together," he said. Adding: "If there is anyone out there who still doubts whether the dreams of the founders of our nation are still with us, who still questions our people’s thirst for a better country and democracy, who still question whether Kenyans really want a break with the past, today we have the answer."

He then drove the point home on Kenya’s unfinished business: "This is not the end but the beginning, sasa kazi ndio inaanza (it is now that work starts). Let us unite and pursue until we achieve the dream of our Founding Fathers."

The text in Kiswahili was lifted off his campaign books for 2007 presidential election campaigns.

Turning to the ‘No’ team, he said: "We thank those who ran this race with us, those who voted against the new laws. They exercised their democratic rights ... Asiyekubali kushindwa si mshindi. I salute them for conceding defeat."

He went on: "As we celebrate, let us remember that this ‘Yes’ vote alone is not the change we were looking for. The victory only gives us the mandate to implement the changes we long sought. We must discard the ways and the attitudes of the past, and march towards a new Kenya."

But he reserved his best quote for last: "Thank you all for showing the world that we are not just a collection of tribes, clans, and races. Thank you for proving that we, the people of Kenya, can still stand up and speak for ourselves when it matters most. Thank you for defying the cynicism and doubts that were planted. Thank you for choosing hope over fear, unity over division."

Take new oath

Ruto also called for quick consultations on addressing the sticky issues in the new constitution saying: "As democrats we will accept the verdict of Kenyans. Since the country has decided that amendments be conducted later, we are now proposing as the ‘No’ team that immediate consultations start on both sides."

The implementation of the new law would require the unity of Kenyans. There is a minimum of 50 different legislations Parliament has to pass to allow the new laws to take effect.

When the new law comes into force Kibaki, Raila, and the Cabinet would have to be sworn-in afresh to turn their allegiance to the new constitution.

There are also offices to be created, institutions to be rebuilt, and hard decisions to be made. They include forgetting the ‘vindictive’ nature of competitive politics that is oiled by the ‘winner-takes-it-all’ mentality, and reuniting both ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ for the country’s sake.

The vote means that Kenyans would discard the current Constitution that was drawn up in the lead-up of independence in 1963. The current Constitution granted sweeping powers to the Head of State and this would be cut back in the new law.

The President has 14 days to sign the Proposed Constitution into law.

The VP said: "Today is a happy day. The nation is literally on a dawn of a new beginning … I feel the excitement because it has been a long and difficult journey".

Earlier, Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi who was a co-chair of ‘Yes’ secretariat led his side in declaring victory.

"The gallant people of Kenya have spoken with a thunderous voice," he said at Bomas of Kenya.

The ‘Yes’ team dedicated the victory to all Kenyans and reached out to the rival ‘No’ camp so they could, together, embark on implementation. Kiraitu was with Uhuru and Mudavadi among other ‘Yes’ leaders.

He said: "There is neither a winner nor loser. We are all Kenyans. Let us embrace each other as we usher the country into a new chapter."