Unity is key in enacting new Constitution, says Kibaki

President Kibaki has said unity is key in the implementation of the new Constitution.

He said discord fuelled by political or religious views would be an obstacle.

The President said the Coalition Government had led the way to achieve the new Constitution and emphasised the need to stay the course to realise the dream of a prosperous and stable nation.

"We have shown you the way by enacting a new Constitution and it is good we follow in that path. Let us unite to build a country that will benefit us all," Kibaki said at the burial of Joseph Karume, the son of former Defence Minister Njenga Karume, in Kiambu, Friday.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, First Lady Lucy Kibaki, ministers and MPs attended the funeral.

Kibaki urged Kenyans to speak with one voice saying, "having thousands of political parties is unhelpful".

He also said religious tolerance is important, noting that even though people profess different faiths they worship one God.

"I know each one of us holds dear his or her religion and may be tempted to think the God he or she worships is the only mighty one. That should not be the case. We should stop fighting and abusing each other," Kibaki said.

The President told mourners of the strong ties between his family and that of the former Kiambaa MP saying: "We have visited here with my wife and children who are the age of the deceased."

black spot

Raila said the Government would construct a dual-carriage way at the Salgaa stretch on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway, which is a black spot.

The PM recalled he "escaped death narrowly" at the spot when vehicles collided killing two people in 1996.

Kalonzo urged the President to "do something" about the dangerous stretch.

The VP said the road had in the past claimed the lives of two district commissioners.

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Co-operatives Development Minister Joe Nyagah also condoled with Karume’s family while Justice Kihara Kariuki recounted his childhood times with the deceased.

Speakers praised the deceased as hardworking following in his father’s footsteps who had contributed to the development of the country.