President remembers Wamalwa

BY PPS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 23 - It is with a heavy heart that I join the family, relatives as well the people of Saboti and Kenya as a whole in commemorating the 7th anniversary since the late Michael Kijana Wamalwa left us.

As we remember this gallant son of our motherland, I call upon Kenyans to emulate his patriotism and dedication to the well being of our country.

Indeed, and as we all recall, the late Wamalwa played a frontline role in the struggle for reforms in our country. I cherish the many thoughts we shared together in pushing for reforms both long before and after we formed the Government in 2002 with him as my Vice President.

It is particularly significant that this year we are remembering the late Wamalwa shortly after the referendum that ushered in a new constitutional dispensation for our country. Constitutional reforms were particularly dear to the late Wamalwa as he believed, as we all do, that it would open a new chapter of freedom, development and prosperity for our country.

As Kenyans will recall, during the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission National Constitutional Conference held at Bomas of Kenya on August 25, 2003, the late Wamalwa said, and I quote:

“This is a momentous occasion in the life of the Kenyan nation. For today we are gathered here to redefine our political, cultural and social economic future through the process of crafting a new Constitution. In the whole history of mankind, only a few generations have been given the privilege of rewriting the laws of their country and we are among them. Today we are ranged alongside Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon Bonaparte and other people who have made it their duty to define laws that would serve their countries for posterity”.

As we now embark on the second leg of implementing the Constitution, let us remember the words of the late Wamalwa, in the same address, and I quote: “we in this nation are of many tribes and many religions and many cultures. This is not a weakness, this is the strength of this Republic.”

As he further on said “we must go the extra mile to cater for every community however small, for every religious sect however small, for every Kenyan, who has a view. For the Constitution is the defender of the weak, the protector of the mighty and the not so mighty, and the modern defender of the faiths in plural.”

On this occasion of the 7th anniversary celebrations, I urge Kenyans to remain steadfast so that we can achieve a dream that so many of our people have fought for. As we discharge this unique privilege, and as we look forward into the future, let us all join hands, as Wamalwa said, in rewriting the history of our Country in golden letters.

As we do so, let us all exercise utmost patience and patriotism so that we can succeed in this noble task that will define the nature of country for generations to come.

As Kenyans we shall be forever grateful to the contribution of Michael Kijana Wamalwa, a great patriot and gentleman.