Constitution Day

Today is a big day in Kenya, for it is the day that the new constitution has been signed into law. The papers claimed it was an event to rival the independence ceremony of 1963, and while I do not know what those celebrations looked like, from watching the celebrations today on the Kenya news channel, I can imagine. Today was being herladed as the dawn of a new Kenya, a time of unity, and this constitution was some 20 years in waiting from when they first pledged to make a new one and today.

Perhaps some people will have seen headlines over the last few months about the constitution. It was voted on on August 4, and the people voted around 60%(I believe) for it to pass. Sadly, what sells back home is controversy, and while there was some controversy during the constituional campaign, the actual election was completely without incident. There was peace where during the presidential elections of 2007 there had been unrest, and especially in those communities, it seemed experience had committed them to never again. From what I can see and understand, the constitution will be good for Kenya. It offers an extended bill of rights, and from what they said to day, includes a pledge to take on corruption and negative tribalism.

In itself, it is a document, and a long awaited and much needed one. What remains to be seen is what the people who are sworn to uphold the document will make of it. Will it help address those things which seek to bind Kenya, or will it remain an empty promise. Hopefully the former, but every good and hopeful document needs committed people behind it. Still, a great day for Kenya.

The ceremony itself was held in the Central Park in downtown Nairobi, and getting around the city is not really possible, so our swahili lesson was canceled. Honestly, I did not mind because it allowed me to watch most of todays proceedings. There was incredible support from around the region. In attendance were such dignataries as the Ugandan president, the Rwandan president, the Sudanese president, the Zanzibar president, the Comoros president, former Ghanaian president John Kuofor, the former Tanzanian president, former Kenyan President Moi, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who played a very active role in the peace negotiations following the election violence of 2007. President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga both gave speeches, and while Kibaki cannot run again in 2012 because of term limitations, it does seem like many people say that Odinga could be the next president, for he has tremendous support and always brought the greatest cheers and seemed to really speak to the people. From the people I have talked with or overhead, he seems a great favorite.

The actually ceremony did not begin until around 10, but it looked like on tv that by 7 the crowd was already very great downtown, and it eventually became so crowded that they were forced to close off the park to anymore people. Our teacher had said people were talking about sleeping downtown in order to get a place for the ceremony. IF they did, they would have gotten rained on, because we have had pretty regular and unseasonable rain this past week, including parts of last night, and despite Kenya's proximity to the equatory, Nairobi has been in the mornings quite chilly. North Kinangop where I will be working is supposed to be quite chilly as well, so hopefully I brought enough warm clothes.

Truly, a momentous day to be in Kenya and to watch history be made. The dawn of a new era, a second republic, a day when Kenya pledged to truly be united... It is a hopeful time, and I truly hope it is hope that may be realized, despite the challenges that will inevitably arise.

Happy Constitution Day Kenya!