Kenya To Have A New Constitution
Kenyan
President Mwai Kibaki has promised the country a new
constitution in the New Year.
In a New Year address to the country, Mr. Kibaki said, "our
country is at the threshold of a new constitutional dispensation
in the New Year... They (the COE) must now carefully and
prudently harmonise these views.”
The search for a new constitution aimed at checking state powers
and a guarantee of an equitable distribution of resources began
in the early 1990s, but its realisation has been held back by
various political interests.
The quest was given fresh impetus in 2008 when the former
British colony, long held up as a model of stability in a region
blighted by civil wars, erupted in deadly violence after
disputed presidential polls in December 2007.
Under the terms of a peace deal brokered by international
mediators, a team known as the Committee of Experts (COE) on the
Constitution was formed and published a draft constitution in
November, seeking the public's input.
He noted that Kenyans expect a unifying, final document that
reflects the will of the majority.
He pledged to step up infrastructure development.
Kibaki was quoted as saying, “I am confident that we are now
ready to begin works on Kenya’s second transport corridor
linking us to Southern Sudan and Ethiopia and a new port at Lamu.’’
Climate Change
He said the government would start various initiatives to help
the country combat the growing effects of climate change.
’’More emphasis will be placed on energy production via green
pathways including geothermal and wind energy. We will also
begin an ambitious plan of planting trees and get our forest
cover to 10 percent,’’ he said.
Reuters/Qasim/Yinka
