By Jerry Okungu
Nairobi, Kenya
April 9, 2013
The African Union Anthem
that is also the national anthem for the Republic of Tanzania and South Africa
told it all.
The East African Community National anthem set the tone of the event.
Uhuru’s installation as the fourth president of the Republic of
Kenya was no ordinary event. It was a pan African event.
To show solidarity with
the EAC member states and probably as a sign of commitment to regional
integration, the EAC Anthem was played twice, at the beginning and the end.
In the midst of the crowd
was a grand statesman of Africa, Mzee Kenneth Kaunda, probably the only
surviving founding father of the OAU now AU. The now stooping former head of
state was a great friend of Jomo Kenyatta and Julius Nyerere. It was therefore
fitting that 50 years later, he had to be at the crowning ceremony of the son
of his departed friend.
Having witnessed power
transition in Kenya in 2002 at Uhuru Park, I can say without any fear of
contradiction that this was the best power transfer we have seen in a long
time. The organizers left nothing to chance. Even the crowd was well controlled
despite their excitement from time to time- which was understandable.
Though the government invited the entire
African continent- 54 heads of state, only 21 of them honored the gesture,
among them 11 Heads of State, four countries sent their Vice Presidents while
another 5 were represented by Prime Ministers or Heads of Government.
Of the Heads of State
present, there was Goodluck Jonathan of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and
Jacob Zuma of South Africa, the leading super powers of the continent.
The East African Community
Heads of State, leaders from the Great Lakes Region and IGAD were there in full
force confirming that Kenya was an important member of the region.
For this reason, it was
fitting that Yoweri Museveni, the senior most Head of State in the EAC was
accorded the honor to speak on behalf of all Heads of State in the continent.
However, there was one
unusual guest that must have been a pleasant surprise to those who could
recognize him. That was Jesse Jackson, a onetime first African American to run
for president in the United States in 1980s and a renowned Civil Rights leader
alongside the late Martin Luther King Jr.
As the gathering waited
for President Kibaki to arrive; it was interesting to see Uhuru and Ruto
informally mingle with dignitaries and make them feel at home. Being first time Head of state and deputy;
they were not uptight at all.
The incoming First Lady
was stunning in her modest way. She looked relaxed beside her husband that
would be the Head of State in a matter of minutes.
When it was the turn of
President Yoweri Museveni to speak, he had the presence of mind to pay tribute
to Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka for helping to maintain peace during and
after elections and more importantly to resort to court to resolve the election
dispute. He also had kind words for presidents Mwai Kibaki and Daniel arap Moi
for the role they had played to ensure Kenya remained peaceful even as civil
wars raged in the region.
President Museveni did not
spare the ICC either. In his personal opinion, the results of the Kenyan
elections were a referendum on the ICC. Kenyans defied the impending trials to
elect their leaders.
As is always
characteristic, Museveni left the audience in stitches when he begged Uhuru to
stop the Pokots of Kenya from stealing his cows! This was in gesture as he
referred to the young Pokot parliamentarian who was detailed to be his
chaperon.
The speeches by William
Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta were reconciliatory leaving no doubt in anybody’s mind
that they were ready to move on and unite the country.
On matters of election
promises, President Uhuru repeated that indeed within the first 100 days, all
Kenyan women would not be charged maternity fees in government hospitals and that
come January 2014, all children joining class one in primary schools will all
each have a laptop.
It was fitting to note
that as Museveni, Ruto and Ruto stressed the importance of regional peace, the
South Sudan; Somalia and DRC presidents were seated listening keenly. One hoped
that they would take the same message back to their home countries.
Even though Cardinal Njue
prayed for the incoming President and the outgoing Head of State and wished
them a prosperous future, His Eminence forgot to pray for the outgoing Prime
Minister and Vice President. May be it was a small oversight. However, when
President Kibaki rose to give his last speech as Head of State, he paid glowing
tribute to his Grand Coalition partners Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka.
The media must have been
hugely relieved to hear President Uhuru pledge freedom of opinion and speech as
he promised to protect the rights of every Kenyan irrespective of whether one
supported and voted for him or not.
In conclusion, Uhuru
Kenyatta pledged to defend the constitution and to ensure that devolution was
implemented to the letter as it was the cornerstone of Kenya’s new
constitution.
The next 100 days will be
a pointer to the direction an Uhuru government will take.
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