Kibaki assures Kenyans of free and fair elections

By Peter Opiyo

President Kibaki is focused on leaving an admirable legacy and a cohesive Kenya even as the trial of four Kenyans at the International Criminal Court continues to bother his government.

In only his second State of the Nation address in Parliament, Kibaki said measures to ensure free, fair and credible elections are in place, a move that would obscure the 2007 disputed polls that tainted Kenya’s image at the international front.

He assured Kenyans of a smooth transition to a new leadership as his tenure expires next year, but emphasised that the leadership must have the capacity to build and sustain Kenya’s development blueprint, Vision 2030.

From left, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, President Mwai Kibaki and House Speaker Kenneth Marende head to Parliament Gardens after attending State of the Nation address in Parliament, on Tuesday. [Photo: Stafford Ondego /Standard]

"I assure Kenyans of a smooth transition to the new leadership that they will elect in the forth coming general election," said Kibaki. But the aftermath of the 2007 post-poll upheavals also stood out in his speech, as he again talked about his preference for a local tribunal to try the perpetrators of post poll violence.

Kibaki pointed out that Parliament endorsed a motion calling for the withdrawal of Kenya from ICC, and that his government will continue pushing for local trials.

"I am cognizant of the fact that this House passed a motion that Kenya pulls out of ICC. Victims of post-election violence deserve justice. Kenyans facing trials also deserve a fair and legal hearing.

"In the meantime I call on Kenyans to remain calm even as we pursue option of having a local mechanism to deal with any international crimes," he said and called on leaders to stop politicizing the ICC process.

Two of Kibaki’s closest allies, former Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta are facing international crimes trials at The Hague. Eldoret North MP, William Ruto and Radio presenter Joshua Sang are the other accused. Parliament twice rejected the establishment of a local tribunal saying it would be prone to manipulation by the political class.

Kibaki walked into the Chamber accompanied by Speaker Kenneth Marende and National Assembly Clerk Patrick Gichohi.

The President appeared keen to impress upon the country that Kenya will this time round have credible polls devoid of the chaos that followed the 2007 elections.

"The Government has put in place the necessary institutions and measures to regulate free, fair and credible elections. Any hindrance and obstacles of whatever nature will be dealt with decisively and promptly," Kibaki told parliament.

The State will increase the number of security officers and conduct civic and voter education on the new Constitution and the electoral system to ensure that the electorate is enlightened ahead of the polls.

Speaking before a majority of presidential aspirants, Kibaki said political leaders must be patriotic and have the interests of the country override their own interests. He spoke as Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, Mr Ruto and Mutava Musyimi, who have declared interest in Kibaki’s job, watched.

"As the elections draw closer, leaders must display patriotism and statesmanship. Political competition must be guided by the fact that the interests of our nation are more important than any individual or party interests," said Kibaki, emphasizing on observation of the rule of law during and after elections.

Mudavadi earlier strolled into the Chamber amid a thunderous applause and greeted Regional Development Minister Fred Gumo, who was seated on the front bench, before the entry of the President, the PM and the Vice President.

Raila later shook hands with Mudavadi and exchanged a few words with him. He was sandwiched between Mudavadi and the VP all through the session. The two have fallen out over their political ideals, and Mudavadi is only a paper member of ODM.

Ethnic-based politics, which has long been Kenya’s brand of politics, Kibaki said, has no place in modern Kenya, especially under the new Constitution. He urged political parties to shun the ethnic tag and embrace national outlooks backed by ideologies as their selling points.

"Our democracy has now come of age and we should discourage regional based parties. We need parties that are ideologically driven and have a national character," said Kibaki.

The new Charter he said heralds Devolution as the crux of the new order and called on Kenyans to elect competent leaders who will champion growth and development at the devolved units.

"I urge voters to elect competent leaders who will transform Counties to be economic enclaves that deliver public services professionally, create wealth and employment, improve and spread incomes across their populations as well as improve the quality of life," he said.

Kibaki said the move to activate the devolved units has begun, and that the process of deploying resources, staff and equipment to the counties should be completed by August.

The staff postings, he said, should reflect the diversity of the country.

He also called for the speedy passage of the Land Bills, the Public Finance Management Bill and the County Governments Bill to beat the deadline set out in the Constitution, saying Parliament must work with the Executive to endorse Bills meant to anchor the Constitution within the recommended time frames.

National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende said Parliament would do its best to ensure that it passes the laws as required.

"I am satisfied that we have we have done well, largely performed above average. Your Excellency and Kenyans, whatever we have not done that is our duty to do as the 10th Parliament, we recommit ourselves to do before we leave," said Marende.

Parliament has on some occasions sat up to mid-night to pass Bills to beat the Constitutional deadlines as it blamed the Executive for laxity.

The President also took the opportunity to applaud the Kenya Defence Forces who are in Somalia fighting the Al-Shabaab militia in anarchic country, saying Kenya and the international community is ready to help restore peace in Somalia.

Since Kenyan forces went inside Somalia in October last year, Al Shabaab has carried out some attacks and threatened more retaliatory attacks and Kibaki yesterday urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures.

He also called for cessation of hostilities between Sudan and South Sudan over border disputes and urged the two neigbours not to return to war.

"Having played the role of an honest mediator to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Kenya calls for a ceasefire and an end to the escalating hostilities. Sudan and South Sudan must not return to war," said Kibaki.

He pointed out that the stability of the two neigbours and Somalia is key for the prosperity of the region. The two neigbours have been recently engaged a struggle over the control of the oil-rich Heglig region.