Well done, Kenyans!
Dec 29, 2002
MWAI KIBAKI is to become Kenya’s third president following Friday’s elections won by his opposition coalition
MWAI KIBAKI is to become Kenya’s third president following Friday’s elections won by his opposition coalition. It is a landmark in Kenya’s evolving democracy.
We wish to congratulate president-elect Mwai Kibaki, his team and Kenyans in general on the mature way they have conducted their polls. It is to the pride of Africa’s emerging democracies that yet another country is transferring power from one leader to another in a peaceful and organised manner.
One of the most important lessons Kenyans have learned since the re-introduction of multiparty politics in 1992 is that democracy is not a 100-metre race. Rather it is a long distance race with sharp bends and hills. It has taken the opposition three elections and learning the art of compromise and alliance-building to gain power. They must now consolidate that democracy.
But Kenyans must thank outgoing president Daniel arap Moi for the achievements Kenya has attained over the last two decades. Most important Moi has kept Kenya peaceful at time when much of the region was on fire. His desire for smooth transition to whoever wins is statesmanlike. He deserves a respectable retirement.
Few outside Kenya would have expected Uhuru Kenyatta to win. But President Moi has helped market him for the highest office for a possible 2007 bid. He will have served five years as leader of the official opposition and he will not be a novice. KANU will have five years to reform.
The new administration should, however, resist the temptation to revenge or to witch-hunt members of the old regime. Let it instead focus on the Kenya Kenyans want. Ugandans expect the best from President Mwai Kibaki, who studied and worked here.
We also wish his administration the best.
We wish to congratulate president-elect Mwai Kibaki, his team and Kenyans in general on the mature way they have conducted their polls. It is to the pride of Africa’s emerging democracies that yet another country is transferring power from one leader to another in a peaceful and organised manner.
One of the most important lessons Kenyans have learned since the re-introduction of multiparty politics in 1992 is that democracy is not a 100-metre race. Rather it is a long distance race with sharp bends and hills. It has taken the opposition three elections and learning the art of compromise and alliance-building to gain power. They must now consolidate that democracy.
But Kenyans must thank outgoing president Daniel arap Moi for the achievements Kenya has attained over the last two decades. Most important Moi has kept Kenya peaceful at time when much of the region was on fire. His desire for smooth transition to whoever wins is statesmanlike. He deserves a respectable retirement.
Few outside Kenya would have expected Uhuru Kenyatta to win. But President Moi has helped market him for the highest office for a possible 2007 bid. He will have served five years as leader of the official opposition and he will not be a novice. KANU will have five years to reform.
The new administration should, however, resist the temptation to revenge or to witch-hunt members of the old regime. Let it instead focus on the Kenya Kenyans want. Ugandans expect the best from President Mwai Kibaki, who studied and worked here.
We also wish his administration the best.