Katiba Mpya Kenya...The Dawn of a New Era
Katiba Mpya Kenya...The Dawn of a New Era
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Ab-Titchaz
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- Jan 30, 2008
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Simple majority mkuu.
PJ
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- Oct 10, 2007
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Latest Results: Kenya Finally Vote Yes For New Constitution
Less than 12 hours after the polls closed in Wednesday's referendum in Kenya, provisional results showed supporters of a new constitution headed for a landslide win.
According to results from the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC), the Yes side had 4,141,521 votes (67 per cent) against the No camp's 2,054,946 (33 per cent).
With a lead of more than two million votes, and quite a few Yes strongholds still to report, it seemed not even a miracle could turn the tides in favour of the No camp. Indeed as dawn approached, it looked likely that the Yes vote could even climb to at least 70 per cent.
The law requires that for the proposed constitution to pass, more than 50 per cent of the voters who turn out must support it.
The Yes campaign, led by President Kibaki, 79, and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, 65, had a disorganised start, although opinion polls consistently showed them leading.
The No group, led by several churches, a few dissident ministers, most notably Higher Education minister William Ruto, and former president Daniel arap Moi, 86, looked in good early form.
More impassioned, and exploiting the emotional issues of abortion, which it claimed (inaccurately) was being legalised by the proposed constitution through an ambiguous clause, and the fact the (Islamic family) kadhi courts had been retained, the No side was on message straight from when the whistle blew.
However, the document was loaded with too many attractive clauses to lose. Its bill of rights is easily the most ambitious in Africa. It dramatically reduces the power of the president, expands parliamentary oversight over the executive, and provides for dual citizenship.
For a country where almost every middle class family has at least one child living or working abroad, mostly in the west, this clause was a difficult one to defeat.
For Mr Kibaki, the victory allows him to refurbish his reformist credentials and leave behind a worthy legacy when he retires in 2012. The President had been tarnished by the December 2007 election, which he was widely seen to have won fraudulently. The dispute over the results led to the worst political violence Kenya had witnessed since its independence in 1964.
1,133 people were killed in the violence and 650,000 displaced. Kenya stepped back from the brink only after a negotiated settlement led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan resulted in a 50-50 power-sharing between Kibaki and his main rival, Raila Odinga, who is now prime minister in the coalition government that was formed.
For Mr Odinga, the success of the Yes, which he led for several weeks alone before Kibaki joined the fray, bolsters his presidential hopes in 2012.
Indeed the votes from his home region of Nyanza and Western were dizzyingly high, weighing it at 92 and 80 per cent respectively.
Big names, big money, and state machinery served the Yes side well, but they were also gifted by Moi's high profile role on the No side. Mr Moi was hugely unpopular, and Kenyans tend to treat him like the mad uncle who is locked away in the attic. They will let him be, as long as he doesn't intervene too much in politics.
At the height of the campaigns, he got in a verbal spat with an unusually animated Kibaki. If that did anything, it seems to have convinced nearly all the undecided voters to fall on the Yes side. Commentators noted that every time Mr Moi opened his mouth to criticise the proposed constitution, he recruited 1,000 votes for the Yes.
For Kenya as a country, a Yes vote is also some form of national redemption. In December 2002, Kenya became the first country in the wider Eastern Africa where an opposition ousted a long-ruling party through a democratic vote.
But the euphoria soon dissipated as the opposition coalition descended into bickering and the same kind of corruption that had discredited the Moi regime. The post-election violence that followed the December 2007 poll, enveloped Kenya, East Africa's largest economy, in a cloud of despair and self-doubt.
With this referendum, the interim election commission organised easily the most efficient and open vote in Africa. And, after being caught asleep on the job last time, this time the security services left nothing to chance.
Security forces were deployed in large numbers in the volatile Rift Valley, where most of the last post-election and displacements took place
Less than 12 hours after the polls closed in Wednesday's referendum in Kenya, provisional results showed supporters of a new constitution headed for a landslide win.
According to results from the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC), the Yes side had 4,141,521 votes (67 per cent) against the No camp's 2,054,946 (33 per cent).
With a lead of more than two million votes, and quite a few Yes strongholds still to report, it seemed not even a miracle could turn the tides in favour of the No camp. Indeed as dawn approached, it looked likely that the Yes vote could even climb to at least 70 per cent.
The law requires that for the proposed constitution to pass, more than 50 per cent of the voters who turn out must support it.
The Yes campaign, led by President Kibaki, 79, and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, 65, had a disorganised start, although opinion polls consistently showed them leading.
The No group, led by several churches, a few dissident ministers, most notably Higher Education minister William Ruto, and former president Daniel arap Moi, 86, looked in good early form.
More impassioned, and exploiting the emotional issues of abortion, which it claimed (inaccurately) was being legalised by the proposed constitution through an ambiguous clause, and the fact the (Islamic family) kadhi courts had been retained, the No side was on message straight from when the whistle blew.
However, the document was loaded with too many attractive clauses to lose. Its bill of rights is easily the most ambitious in Africa. It dramatically reduces the power of the president, expands parliamentary oversight over the executive, and provides for dual citizenship.
For a country where almost every middle class family has at least one child living or working abroad, mostly in the west, this clause was a difficult one to defeat.
For Mr Kibaki, the victory allows him to refurbish his reformist credentials and leave behind a worthy legacy when he retires in 2012. The President had been tarnished by the December 2007 election, which he was widely seen to have won fraudulently. The dispute over the results led to the worst political violence Kenya had witnessed since its independence in 1964.
1,133 people were killed in the violence and 650,000 displaced. Kenya stepped back from the brink only after a negotiated settlement led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan resulted in a 50-50 power-sharing between Kibaki and his main rival, Raila Odinga, who is now prime minister in the coalition government that was formed.
For Mr Odinga, the success of the Yes, which he led for several weeks alone before Kibaki joined the fray, bolsters his presidential hopes in 2012.
Indeed the votes from his home region of Nyanza and Western were dizzyingly high, weighing it at 92 and 80 per cent respectively.
Big names, big money, and state machinery served the Yes side well, but they were also gifted by Moi's high profile role on the No side. Mr Moi was hugely unpopular, and Kenyans tend to treat him like the mad uncle who is locked away in the attic. They will let him be, as long as he doesn't intervene too much in politics.
At the height of the campaigns, he got in a verbal spat with an unusually animated Kibaki. If that did anything, it seems to have convinced nearly all the undecided voters to fall on the Yes side. Commentators noted that every time Mr Moi opened his mouth to criticise the proposed constitution, he recruited 1,000 votes for the Yes.
For Kenya as a country, a Yes vote is also some form of national redemption. In December 2002, Kenya became the first country in the wider Eastern Africa where an opposition ousted a long-ruling party through a democratic vote.
But the euphoria soon dissipated as the opposition coalition descended into bickering and the same kind of corruption that had discredited the Moi regime. The post-election violence that followed the December 2007 poll, enveloped Kenya, East Africa's largest economy, in a cloud of despair and self-doubt.
With this referendum, the interim election commission organised easily the most efficient and open vote in Africa. And, after being caught asleep on the job last time, this time the security services left nothing to chance.
Security forces were deployed in large numbers in the volatile Rift Valley, where most of the last post-election and displacements took place
Ukabila unawasaidia Kenya kufanya mambo yaende. Mara hii Wakikuyu na Waluo wamekuwa wamoja na wamefanikisha hili. Wakalenjin/Wanandi wakiongozwa na Ruto/Moi hawakufua dafu. Muhimu ni kwamba Katiba hii ina mambo mengi mazuri tu. Teuzi za Raisi zitahojiwa/zitathibitishwa, Baraza la Mawaziri lina kiwango maalum ndani ya Katiba, Tume ya Taifa ya Uchaguzi itakuwa huru sana tu.
The Quonquerer
JF-Expert Member
- May 14, 2009
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By which definition of truth.? Ours is just a drop in the sea compared to the ones we are hosting. Na kumbuka, wapemba walikuwa on transit, na walitaka kwenda Uingereza kwa sababu za kimaisha na ndiko waliko. Kwanza ni wangapi,? Is there any crisis in Pemba now. Lete statistics za wakimbizi by country in East Africa! We i've hosted and are hosting so many of you, including Wakenya wengi illegal wanaokuja kwa ajili ya vibarua (unskilled) na kutafuta mashamba maana kwenu huko hakuna kitu..and that's why you guys shouldn't venture into our country's affairs. You don't have any bargaining chip! We don't need Mungikis...no non! Tribalist you, kaeni na ubaguzi wenu huko!
Smiles
JF-Expert Member
- Aug 24, 2009
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By NATION TEAM
Posted Wednesday, August 4 2010 at 17:20
12:02 Yes team declares referendum victory saying it marks the birth of a new republic. 11:35 President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka to hold a press conference to acknowledge the results of the constitutional referendum today at 4pm at KICC, Nairobi. A statement on the Government spokesman website, however, says the conference and its timing is tentative and is in anticipation of the formal announcement of the results by the IIEC
They will be joined by members of the Cabinet and other leaders. Members of the Public are welcome to the event at KICC grounds.
The Press Conference and its timing is tentative and is in anticipation of the formal announcement of the results by the Interim Independent Electoral Commission.
11:18 The No team will be addressing a news conference at 12:00 this afternoon.
11:04 We now have nearly a third of the final official votes cast per constituency. 62 out of 210 constituencies have returned their findings so far. It is likely we will have the final tally by the end of the day. Provisional results are standing at 4,179, 867 for Yes and 2,072,151 for No.
08:50 IIEC started announcing the official final results per constituency a while ago. So far, results for 37 out 210 constituencies have been posted. Official tally at 1,287,757 for Yes and 527,282 for No.
04:30 IIEC is in the process of collating results as it awaits those from far flung constituencies.
04: 13 "Congrats to IIEC. For their transparency.... GOD bless Kenya," Lucy McKenzie on Facebook.
04:03 Latest results: Yes 4,147, 194 (67pc); No 2,057,181 (33pc).
04: 01 Now even the police at Bomas are dozing, quiet murmurs in the near empty hall.
03: 58 Nambale results: Yes 33, 859; No 5,734; Gatundu South- Yes 32,422; No 10,209.
03: 53 The results from constituencies are coming in at Bomas as the first group of returning officers arrive under heavy guard by Administration Police.
03:46 Kayamba Africa unplug their music equipment. Looks like it is going to be a long three hours to daybreak in the capital. Bomas is cold, really cold.
03: 39 Nation's Alphonce Shiundu: Bomas goes to sleep. The results are almost static at the moment. The tunes playing in the public address system turn to blues and soft reggae.
My goodness, it is getting boring and we are slowly thinking of taking naps on metallic chairs. Ouch! Still stuck at 6,043 polling stations. Turnout at 71.52 per cent. That's impressive. The waiting continues
03: 30 "Kenyan have decided," Edward Kariuki Gatuso on Facebook.
03: 20 Starehe constituency results: Yes 68, 815; No 25,529, rejected votes 4,612.
03: 10 IIEC updates at the Bomas of Kenya being translated to Kenya Sign Language for deaf persons in the country, reports Joy Wanja.
03:02 No team sends a message of peace to Kenyans and calls upon the country to be calm. "We have serious misgivings on the integrity of the tallying. We have set up our own mechanism to validate the results, NCCK secretary general says in a statement.
Posted Wednesday, August 4 2010 at 17:20
12:02 Yes team declares referendum victory saying it marks the birth of a new republic. 11:35 President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka to hold a press conference to acknowledge the results of the constitutional referendum today at 4pm at KICC, Nairobi. A statement on the Government spokesman website, however, says the conference and its timing is tentative and is in anticipation of the formal announcement of the results by the IIEC
They will be joined by members of the Cabinet and other leaders. Members of the Public are welcome to the event at KICC grounds.
The Press Conference and its timing is tentative and is in anticipation of the formal announcement of the results by the Interim Independent Electoral Commission.
11:18 The No team will be addressing a news conference at 12:00 this afternoon.
11:04 We now have nearly a third of the final official votes cast per constituency. 62 out of 210 constituencies have returned their findings so far. It is likely we will have the final tally by the end of the day. Provisional results are standing at 4,179, 867 for Yes and 2,072,151 for No.
08:50 IIEC started announcing the official final results per constituency a while ago. So far, results for 37 out 210 constituencies have been posted. Official tally at 1,287,757 for Yes and 527,282 for No.
04:30 IIEC is in the process of collating results as it awaits those from far flung constituencies.
04: 13 "Congrats to IIEC. For their transparency.... GOD bless Kenya," Lucy McKenzie on Facebook.
04:03 Latest results: Yes 4,147, 194 (67pc); No 2,057,181 (33pc).
04: 01 Now even the police at Bomas are dozing, quiet murmurs in the near empty hall.
03: 58 Nambale results: Yes 33, 859; No 5,734; Gatundu South- Yes 32,422; No 10,209.
03: 53 The results from constituencies are coming in at Bomas as the first group of returning officers arrive under heavy guard by Administration Police.
03:46 Kayamba Africa unplug their music equipment. Looks like it is going to be a long three hours to daybreak in the capital. Bomas is cold, really cold.
03: 39 Nation's Alphonce Shiundu: Bomas goes to sleep. The results are almost static at the moment. The tunes playing in the public address system turn to blues and soft reggae.
My goodness, it is getting boring and we are slowly thinking of taking naps on metallic chairs. Ouch! Still stuck at 6,043 polling stations. Turnout at 71.52 per cent. That's impressive. The waiting continues
03: 30 "Kenyan have decided," Edward Kariuki Gatuso on Facebook.
03: 20 Starehe constituency results: Yes 68, 815; No 25,529, rejected votes 4,612.
03: 10 IIEC updates at the Bomas of Kenya being translated to Kenya Sign Language for deaf persons in the country, reports Joy Wanja.
03:02 No team sends a message of peace to Kenyans and calls upon the country to be calm. "We have serious misgivings on the integrity of the tallying. We have set up our own mechanism to validate the results, NCCK secretary general says in a statement.
unaniita tribalist? have you finished killing albinos yet? you kill your own people because of a superstition. your stupidity is self manifesting
RRONDO
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 3, 2010
- 55,727
- 123,094
natumaini na watanzania nao wataweza kubadili constitution yao yenye mapungufu kibao badala ya kupiga domo hapa...........hongereni wakenya.
the tanzanian constitution has keept you guys peaceful and developing for decades so if it aint broke dont fix it. the tz constitution is just fine
the tanzania constitution has kept you guys peaceful for decades, why change it?
prophecy fulfilled!!!!
Smatta
JF-Expert Member
- Nov 5, 2008
- 2,348
- 733
The de-facto leader of the 'No' camp and Higher Education minister William Ruto has led a team of politicians in conceding defeat in Kenya's constitution referendum held on Wednesday.
Mr Ruto congratulated Kenyans for conducting themselves peacefully during the referendum. The minister said: "Kenyans have spoken and we respect the decision. All Kenyans are winners."
However, the 'No' group called for immediate consultations between the two sides with the aim of amending the contentious issues.
Mr Ruto was accompanied by cabinet ministers Naomi Shabaan and Samuel Poghisio and several Members of Parliament allied to the Red camp.
He said the international threshold for endorsing a new constitution had not been met, showing that more Kenyans needed to be brought on board.
Daily Nation:*- Kenya Referendum*|'No' camp concedes referendum defeat
Its about time.. God Bless Kenya.. Now we implement.
Mr Ruto congratulated Kenyans for conducting themselves peacefully during the referendum. The minister said: "Kenyans have spoken and we respect the decision. All Kenyans are winners."
However, the 'No' group called for immediate consultations between the two sides with the aim of amending the contentious issues.
Mr Ruto was accompanied by cabinet ministers Naomi Shabaan and Samuel Poghisio and several Members of Parliament allied to the Red camp.
He said the international threshold for endorsing a new constitution had not been met, showing that more Kenyans needed to be brought on board.
Daily Nation:*- Kenya Referendum*|'No' camp concedes referendum defeat
Its about time.. God Bless Kenya.. Now we implement.
He has done a great thing,but which international thresh hold has not been met!?i thought the law stipulates that the "YES" side needed 50%+1 vote.About revisiting the contentious issues,is ok but this is what we have been telling the "NO" side all a long that we can amend this thing later, the only winner here is Ruto,now we know why he opposed the document,to build his political profile and he has achieved this goal in a brilliant way.
The good thing is the level of maturity Kenyans have shown in this whole exercise until the German ambassador and other diplomatic missions admitted that there a lot of things they have learned from Kenyan and especially the Interim Independent Electoral Commission(IIEC) ,Bravo Kenyans!!!!MAY PEACE PREVAIL.I wish Tanzania and Rwanda well and God blessings as they prepare for there vote soon....
The good thing is the level of maturity Kenyans have shown in this whole exercise until the German ambassador and other diplomatic missions admitted that there a lot of things they have learned from Kenyan and especially the Interim Independent Electoral Commission(IIEC) ,Bravo Kenyans!!!!MAY PEACE PREVAIL.I wish Tanzania and Rwanda well and God blessings as they prepare for there vote soon....
Rufiji
Platinum Member
- Jun 18, 2006
- 1,883
- 948
Congratulations to Kenyans for being able to change their constitution peacefully. I hope the new constitution will acts as catalyst in uniting and molding Kenyans together as nation. I was more than impressed to see (on TV) people from all walks of life, let alone prisoners, casting their ballots to decide the fate of their nation. I am fervently hoping that the new constitution will be implemented and will be of great benefit to our neighbors to the north. On the other hand, those who have lost should accept the results, period. There is no such thing as international threshold when it comes to amending the constitution and I am hoping Mheshimiwa Ruto will take that statement back.
Once again, congratulations to Kenyans.
Once again, congratulations to Kenyans.
RealDeal
JF-Expert Member
- Jun 16, 2010
- 297
- 1
As you realize, there is a huge number of Kenyans in the diaspora who did not participate in the voting process. That's what needs to be worked on come 2012 to ensure all Kenyans, in Kenya and abroad will participate in the voting process.
For sure, i'm also very impressed at how guys have been mature in the whole process. PEACE..
BAK
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 11, 2007
- 124,790
- 288,165
Congratulations Kenyans for a job well done.
Kenya 'yes' campaigners celebrate referendum victory
Cabinet ministers began celebrating when provisional results showed their "yes" campaign was clearly winning
Supporters of a new Kenyan constitution have declared victory in the country's referendum.
Continue reading the main story"Start Quote
With most votes counted, 70% have backed the new constitution. Leaders of the "no" campaign have admitted defeat.
President Mwai Kibaki, who backed the "yes" campaign, told crowds celebrating in Nairobi that he was "happy to welcome" the provisional result.
The constitution will give citizens a new bill of rights and pave the way for land reform.
It will also severely curtail the powers of the president.
But as he addressed a crowd of several hundred people who were celebrating in central Nairobi, Mr Kibaki hailed the "historic" result.
'Truly reborn'
"Fellow Kenyans, we are happy to welcome the provisional results of the referendum. The historic journey that we begun over twenty years ago is now coming to a happy end," said the president.
"Let us all join hands together as we begin the process of national renewal."
Controversial constitution
The referendum was part of a deal to bring that conflict, in which more than 1,000 people died, to an end.
Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi, head of the "yes" campaign, said the people of Kenya had spoken with a "thunderous voice".
"Saying that we have won is truly an understatement. Kenya has been truly reborn. This is the rebirth of a second Republic of Kenya," he said.
With most of the ballots counted, more than four million voters were in favour of the new charter, with about 2.1 million rejecting the reforms.
"[The] majority had their way, we had our say," said William Ruto, Kenya's higher education minister and a leader of the "no" campaign, as he admitted defeat.
"We are now proposing immediate consultations."
The result of the referendum and the absence of violence show an unprecedented enthusiasm for the radical changes the constitution is proposing, says the BBC's Peter Greste in Kenya.
There were more than 27,600 polling stations open for the referendum
The fact the Rift Valley - Mr Ruto's political heartland - polled two to one against presents a serious challenge to national unity, but despite the difficulties, this remains a historic moment for Kenya, adds our correspondent.
Rift Valley province saw the worst of the post-election violence in 2007 and 2008.
Mr Ruto, who has ambitions to run for president in the 2012 elections, had opposed clauses about abortion and land reform.
But those in favour of the document say that for the first time it introduces a sensible approach to land reform by stating that land acquired illegally can be repossessed.
Supporters of the new constitution include Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who stood against President Kibaki in 2007.
More than 27,600 polling stations opened across the country, where on Wednesday many people had queued since sunrise to cast their votes.
The Standard newspaper said the peaceful voting process marked "a new dawn" for Kenya.
"The traditional mayhem that has preceded and accompanied successive general elections was a distant memory buried by the orderly queues yesterday," the paper commented.
Kenyans now face an intensive legislative process to implement the reforms approved by the referendum.
Kenya 'yes' campaigners celebrate referendum victory
Cabinet ministers began celebrating when provisional results showed their "yes" campaign was clearly winning
Supporters of a new Kenyan constitution have declared victory in the country's referendum.
Continue reading the main story"Start Quote
The majority had their way, we had our say"
End Quote William Ruto Leader of "no" campaign
With most votes counted, 70% have backed the new constitution. Leaders of the "no" campaign have admitted defeat.
President Mwai Kibaki, who backed the "yes" campaign, told crowds celebrating in Nairobi that he was "happy to welcome" the provisional result.
The constitution will give citizens a new bill of rights and pave the way for land reform.
It will also severely curtail the powers of the president.
But as he addressed a crowd of several hundred people who were celebrating in central Nairobi, Mr Kibaki hailed the "historic" result.
'Truly reborn'
"Fellow Kenyans, we are happy to welcome the provisional results of the referendum. The historic journey that we begun over twenty years ago is now coming to a happy end," said the president.
"Let us all join hands together as we begin the process of national renewal."
Controversial constitution
- Reduces president's powers
- Devolves power to regions
- Creates commission to manage public land
- Creates senate
- Recognises Kadhi (Muslim) courts
- In pictures: Kenyan views
- Q&A: Kenya's constitution referendum
- Fruity colours battle for Kenyan vote
The referendum was part of a deal to bring that conflict, in which more than 1,000 people died, to an end.
Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi, head of the "yes" campaign, said the people of Kenya had spoken with a "thunderous voice".
"Saying that we have won is truly an understatement. Kenya has been truly reborn. This is the rebirth of a second Republic of Kenya," he said.
With most of the ballots counted, more than four million voters were in favour of the new charter, with about 2.1 million rejecting the reforms.
"[The] majority had their way, we had our say," said William Ruto, Kenya's higher education minister and a leader of the "no" campaign, as he admitted defeat.
"We are now proposing immediate consultations."
The result of the referendum and the absence of violence show an unprecedented enthusiasm for the radical changes the constitution is proposing, says the BBC's Peter Greste in Kenya.
There were more than 27,600 polling stations open for the referendum
The fact the Rift Valley - Mr Ruto's political heartland - polled two to one against presents a serious challenge to national unity, but despite the difficulties, this remains a historic moment for Kenya, adds our correspondent.
Rift Valley province saw the worst of the post-election violence in 2007 and 2008.
Mr Ruto, who has ambitions to run for president in the 2012 elections, had opposed clauses about abortion and land reform.
But those in favour of the document say that for the first time it introduces a sensible approach to land reform by stating that land acquired illegally can be repossessed.
Supporters of the new constitution include Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who stood against President Kibaki in 2007.
More than 27,600 polling stations opened across the country, where on Wednesday many people had queued since sunrise to cast their votes.
The Standard newspaper said the peaceful voting process marked "a new dawn" for Kenya.
"The traditional mayhem that has preceded and accompanied successive general elections was a distant memory buried by the orderly queues yesterday," the paper commented.
Kenyans now face an intensive legislative process to implement the reforms approved by the referendum.