Speech of H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka during promulgation of Constitution at Uhuru Park, Nairobi.

Your Excellency Honourable Mwai Kibaki President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kenya

All visiting Heads of States and Governments

The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Raila Odinga

The Speaker of the National Assembly Hon Kenneth Marende

The Chief Justice Hon Evans Gicheru

Cabinet Ministers and Assistant Ministers

Members of |Parliament

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Wakenya Wenzangu.


It is tremendous privilege and honor that I stand here and salute you all on this very special occasion as we celebrate the inauguration of a new constitution of our Republic.  This day is historic.  It marks the beginning of a new era in the life of our great country.  And for this significant achievement, I say thank you to God, and to Fellow Kenyans – Congratulations!  Hongera Sana!  We have emerged triumphant.

We can now look back with satisfaction at how much we have over the past decade consulted each other about how best our society should be governed.  We have in the process written and re-written numerous drafts of our constitution until we overwhelmingly approved the final edition in a public referendum early this month, paving the way to this day’s celebration.

Many countries around the world have moved forward to set the stage for a brighter future for their people.  For us Kenyans, this day marks the beginning of our renaissance.  We have taken the first – indeed the boldest – step in transforming our country into a great nation.  We are now set to recapture and restore out independence dreams and aspirations – the dreams of a united and prosperous nation.  Under the new constitutional order, we will be able to reclaim our dignity as a people.

• Justice will be guaranteed for all, while our God given national resources will be exploited for the benefit of all. And on their part, leaders will be accountable to the people of Kenya.
• Kenyans from all walks of life will be fully on board the bus of destiny – the youth, the aged, the disabled, and women who have traditionally been marginalized will now be fully included in social and political processes as a matter of constitutional right.
• In short, Kenyans nationalism has shifted from a dream to a reality under the new constitutional order.

Fellow Kenyans,

The dawn of the new era also portends tremendously well for our national pride, prestige and image in Africa and the world.  By the single act of inaugurating a new and quality constitution, we have regained our honor.  We shall regain the pride our heroes and our sportsmen and sportswomen such as Kipchoge Keino, Ben Jipcho Catherine Ndereba, and Rudisha bestowed upon us and raised our flag high in the eyes of the world.  We shall once more be proud to profess that we are Kenyans.

There is a sense in which our achievement in passing a new constitution marks an important beginning in the journey towards a new social and economic era for our country and our people.  We must not lose sight of the reality that poverty and social distress in now the outstanding challenge that is facing us today.  A lot of us have lived in and understand the enormity and dehumanizing characteristics of poverty and deprivation.  Poverty hurts.

Therefore, time has come for every Kenyan to roll up his or her sleeves and work to create wealth and conquer poverty.  We must create opportunities for investment in order to expand our economy and create jobs.  The long queues of men and women walking from Kibera, Kawangware, Mathare, Uthiru and other suburban areas to Industrial Area and the city centre going to work in the morning must be replicated in the afternoon and evening as we move closer towards a 24 – hour economy.

This new dawn will only come once we shed off destructive, ethnic-based leadership and embrace a high moral value-based leadership style, such kind of leadership must focus on addressing economic and social needs of our people.

Finally, Fellow Kenyans

As we celebrate this great day, we should reflect upon the great sacrifices that others in the past and present have made in bringing our nation this far.  We had our independence freedom fighters such as Ezekiel Apindi, Orkoiyot Koitalel Samoei, Moraa Moka Ngiti, Waiyaki wa HInga, Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi, W.W.W.Awori, Mekatilili wa Menza, and of course Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and the rest of the Kapenguria seven, among several others.

The NARC dream, personified by such luminaries as Professor Wangari Maathai, the late Kijana Wamalwa among others and the moral high ground it espoused has now, in earnest, been realized.  Kenyans now, rightfully, belong.

And now I turn to Your Excellency Hon Mwai Kibaki.  Thank you Mr. President.  You have done us proud.  You have led us all to the send republic; one that holds promise of a better future and good tidings.  Mr. President you will leave behind an unassailable legacy that will, change the fortunes of this country for ever.

Wakenya Wenzangu

Katiba hii tunayozindua siku ya leo ni dhihirisho la mwanzo mpya na mwelekeo mpya wa Taifa letu la Kenya , Katiba hii itatuwezesha kufikia ufanisi mkubwa katika safari yetu ya kujenga taifa thabiti na lenye uongozi utakaoimarisha uchumi wetu na kuwanufaisha Wakenya wote popote walipo.  Hasa uongozi katika vita dhidi ya adui msalia ambaye ni umaskini.

Kenya Hoiyee!

Katiba Mpya Hoiyee!

Ahsanteni sana!

Long live Kenya

God bless Kenya .  God bless you all.