Statement by the Panel of Eminent African Personalities following the referendum [English-Swahili]

Statement by the Panel of Eminent African Personalities following the referendum

The Panel of Eminent African Personalities is greatly encouraged by the successful conclusion of the referendum on Kenya’s new constitution.

We very much welcome  reports which indicate that Kenyans were able to vote in a free, fair and peaceful atmosphere.

The high voter turnout nationally reflects the strong desire of Kenya’s people to help shape their country’s future. The result of the referendum, published by the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) on 5 August, suggests that Kenyans have voiced their overwhelming support for a new constitution and the opportunity it provides to end the country’s decades-long quest for a better governance architecture.

There are no winners or losers in this referendum. It is Kenya itself that has triumphed! The Panel calls on all Kenyans to respect the will of the people, reconcile their differences and join together to implement the new constitution and inject new energy into reform efforts.

We commend the two Principals for their stewardship of the constitutional review process and congratulate the Government and the people of Kenya for this momentous step. We urge all involved to honour their commitments to the outstanding reforms envisaged under Agenda Item 4 of the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation process.

The prize on which everyone must stay focused is a stable, united and prosperous Kenya.

The Government will need the support of political, civic, religious and business leaders as well as that of Kenya’s friends around the world to realize the promises this new constitution contains. 

The Panel stands ready to support Kenya at this historic and exciting time.

Kenya idumu milele – Long live Kenya!

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Taarifa Ya Jopo La Viongozi Wastahika Wa Afrika Baada Ya Kura Ya Maamuzi

August 5, 2010

Jopo la Viongozi Wastahika wa Afrika linafurahia sana kuhitimishwa kwa kura ya maamuzi kuhusu Katiba mpya ya Kenya.

Tunasherehekea ripoti kwamba Wakenya wamepiga kura kwa njia iliyo huru, ya haki na yenye amani.

Idadi kubwa ya wapiga kura kitaifa inadhihirisha wazi hamu ya watu wa Kenya ya kuisaidia nchi yao ili ipate mwelekeo mpya. Matokeo ya kura ya maamuzi yaliyochapishwa na Tume Huru ya Muda ya Uchaguzi (IIEC) mnamo Agosti Tano ni dhihirisho kwamba Wakenya wengi wanaunga mkono Katiba mpya na nafasi inayotolewa na Katiba hiyo ya kuhitimisha safari ya miongo mingi katika juhudi za kutafuta mfumo mpya wa utawala.

Hakuna washindi wala walioshindwa katika kura ya maamuzi. Ni taifa la Kenya lililoshinda! Jopo la Viongozi Wastahika linawahimiza Wakenya wote kuheshimu uamuzi wa watu wa Kenya, kuridhiana tofauti zao na kuungana ili kutekeleza katiba mpya na kuyapa nguvu marekebisho ya kikatiba.

Tunawapongeza viongozi wote wawili wa Serikali ya Muungano kwa uongozi wao katika marekebisho ya Katiba. Pia tunaipongeza serikali na watu wa Kenya kwa hatua hiyo ya kihistoria. Tunawahimiza wale wote wanaohusika wazingatie wajibu wao wa kutekeleza marekebisho yaliyotarajiwa chini ya Ajenda ya Nne ya Utaratibu wa Kitaifa wa Mapatano na Maridhiano.

Kila mmoja anaombwa aelekeze juhudi zake katika kujenga taifa la Kenya ambalo ni imara na lenye umoja na maendeleo.

Serikali itahitaji kuungwa mkono na viongozi wa kisiasa, kijamii, kidini na biashara pamoja na marafiki zake kote ulimwenguni ili iweze kufikia ahadi zilizomo katika Katiba hii mpya.

Jopo la Viongozi Wastahika liko tayari kuunga mkono taifa la Kenya wakati huu wa kihistoria na wenye matumaini makubwa.

Kenya idumu milele!

[Statement ends]