Tone down hopes on law: VP

VPPS | DAILY NATION Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta at a service to mark 25 years since the death of former attorney-general Kitili Mwendwa in Matinyani, Kitui West on Sunday. In the centre is Mrs Nyiva Mwendwa, Mr Mwendwa’s widow.

By Kitavi Mutua kmutua@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Sunday, September 26 2010 at 22:00
In Summary

Kalonzo and Uhuru say the new laws are not a remedy for all the problems facing Kenya

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday urged Kenyans to tone down expectations on the new Constitution.

The two said the new laws were not the ultimate remedy for all the country’s problems and a lot needed to be done to get them working.

“The new Constitution is not a panacea for all our problems. As Kenyans we need to moderate on our expectations since it will take time for the new set of laws to fully address all the problems that face us,” Mr Musyoka said.

The VP and Mr Kenyatta spoke during the 25th anniversary of the death of the first African Chief Justice Kitili Mwendwa at his Matinyani rural home in Kitui West constituency.

Mr Kenyatta criticised politicians who had already declared their interest in county leadership positions saying such leaders were angling to mishandle the proposed devolved funds.

“Instead of people engaging in early campaigns, they should first worry about how their counties will sustain themselves” he said.

He noted that the country faced serious financial and logistical challenges in implementing the Constitution but was optimistic that structures would be put in place to ensure smooth transition.

The VP remembered the former chief justice as a man of strong virtues and principles who was committed to justice delivery.

He described Mr Mwendwa as one of the most brilliant sons of this country.

The VP said that successful implementation of the Constitution would be the best way to honour Mr Mwendwa who stood for justice.

“Kitili was a man who was committed to his cause as the first African Chief Justice.

“As a close friend of the family I wonder what he would be today had he lived long,” said the Vice-President.

Mr Kenyatta assured the local community that the Government had signed an MoU with the Chinese Government for the building of the Kibwezi-Kitui-Mwingi-Usueni road that would open up the area economically.

Present were Heritage minister William ole Ntimama, Defence assistant minister David Musila, Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo, former minister Joseph Munyao and Mrs Miriam Obote, the widow of former Ugandan president Dr Milton Obote.

Mrs Obote broke down in tears as she recounted how she fled her country after the Idi Amin coup and was later hosted by the Mwendwas in Nairobi.

“I consider myself as a member of the Mwendwa family, when we had no roof over our heads, Kitili and his family gave us shelter and we never lacked in anything,” said Mrs Obote.