This is it!!

New constitution signed into law. Gloomy weather ushers in new dawn but Kenyans still very excited



Contrary to what some people may want to think weather is significant and has many times through history signified the times and what is about to come.

On this day August the 27th the year of our Lord two thousand and ten the day of the birth of the new republic of Kenya in many parts of the country it is raining, including around the largest gateway into the republic of Kenya, Mombasa port. That is a sure sign of blessing according to the African culture. Indeed many times when important historical events that have brought about great positive changes have happened, the weather has been cloudy, almost gloomy, just the way it is right now in Nairobi where it is all happening. For instance July 4, 1776 the day the American declaration of independence was ratified the weather was cloudy and deteriorated into dark and gloomy by afternoon. What happened on that day was not normal by any means. It shook, and still shakes the world today!

The mammoth crowd at Uhuru Park are in very high spirits and are completely unfazed by the weather knowing fully well the significance of the day that they are witnessing. How many Americans witnessed July 4th 1776 and how many other times will it happen in history again?

I was moved to tears by the first song the Kenya Army played as President Kibaki inspected a guard of honour on arrival at Uhuru Park a few moments ago. It is an old song first released by the Kenya police band shortly after independence. It is a Swahili song and I will translate some of the words in the song that moved me to tears;

“Walk on the ground that is your country with pride and without fear. That is the assurance that we have received from the president. After the exit of the colonialist happy times are here.”

Kenyans quickly realized that it was all a mirage. Thye had simply exchanged colonial masters from a white man (who was in many ways fairer) to a small clique of Africans who ruled ruthlessly and with an iron hand. Anybody who tried to resist or challenge the authority of the new masters was put to death. Indeed even those whom it was suspected may want to resist in the near future lost their lives. Pio Gama Pinto, Tom Mboya, JM Kariuki, Kungu Karumba and many others fell. May their sould rest in peace.

And so finally 46 years later, Kenyans are now ushering in what they thought they had in 1963.

So the choice of song was extremely appropriate.

I am staying online and live and will post regular updates either as comments or complete posts.

It is raining cats and dogs in the part of Kenya where I am right now. Wonderful!!! I have a very good feeling about this new constitution and what it will help us to do for our beloved motherland.

As I post this the President has just signed the new constitution!!! 6 copies in all!!!

WOW!!!!

Update
Kenya's new constitution is written with the blood of these brave Kenyans who dared to dream of a better tomorrow for the motherland;

Josiah Mwangi Kariuki (March 21, 1929–March 2, 1975) was a Kenyan socialist politician during the administration of the Jomo Kenyatta government. He held different government positions from 1963, when Kenya became an independent country, to 1975, when he was assassinated. He left behind three wives and many children. He is the Kenyan who famously quipped "I don't want to be in a Kenya with 10 millionaires and 10 million beggars." A remark that greatly irked the Kneyatta administration. JM was so brutually murdered that parts of his body were dismemembered including his private parts. Nobody has ever been convicted for this heinous crime. JM Kariuki is amongst the Kenyans whose blood went into writing our new constitution.

I will highlight other great Kenyans in this series in the days to come.

Amkeni, Kumekucha

I have to pinch myself now and then to make sure that I am not dreaming and that all this is for real. That our beloved motherland Kenya is actually about to get a new constitution that will usher in the most sweeping changes ever. Changes that will impact the long suffering ordinary folks.

There are many times in the past when I have been ashamed of being a Kenyan. This is definitely NOT one of those times. I am so proud for our country and the new beginning that will commence in just a matter of hours.

But once again I would like to remind all my fellow Kenyan brothers and sisters that after tomorrow we will have some very heavy responsibility on our shoulders. We must try very hard NOT to let the motherland and future generations down.

You see contrary to 1963 when power was handed over to Jomo Kenyatta, tomorrow when president Kibaki signs the new constitution into law, he will be handing over power to the people of Kenya. Folks we will need to make some very important decisions over the next few months and years. I am sure we are up to it, contrary to what Moi and company may think.

But even as we celebrate let us spare a moment to think of all those Kenyans who never made it thus far. Those who died in sheer frustration and hopelessness not believing that it was possible to birth a new Kenya. Guys this document like all other great constitutions is written in blood. Never forget that!!

I also take this opportunity to thank all you Kenyans who contributed in one way or another in pushing for changes through this small humble blog. We played our small part and it was a team effort all the way because what would I have done alone? KUDOS.

Amkeni KUMEKUCHA…

…But even as we celebrate this new day remember that it is only the beginning of the day and we have long hours of hard work ahead of us. But I am confident that together we shall conquer, we shall make good, we shall create a new nation that we can all be very proud of.