NAIROBI, (Reuters) – Kenyans passed a new constitution in a peaceful referendum that could reshape the political landscape of east Africa’s largest economy, official results showed yesterday.
Greater checks on presidential powers were among changes voted through in Wednesday’s referendum, which came two years after allegations over vote-rigging in a presidential election ignited violence that killed 1,300 people.
The new legal framework addresses the corruption, political patronage, land-grabbing and tribalism which have plagued Kenya since it won independence from Britain in 1963.
The referendum win could help Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s presidential bid in the next elections in 2012, analysts said. President Mwai Kibaki cannot stand again as he has already served two terms.
Final official referendum results showed 67 percent of voters had cast their ballots in favour of the law, and 30 percent voted “No”, Kenya’s electoral authority said.
To be adopted, the law required 50 percent plus one vote of the ballot cast nationally, and at least 25 percent of the votes in five of Kenya’s eight provinces.
U.S. President Barack Obama, America’s first black president whose father was Kenyan, described the referendum as a “significant step for Kenya’s democracy” in a statement issued by the White House.
The Kenyan “Yes” camp earlier claimed victory in the capital in front of a sea of supporters blowing vuvuzelas, chanting and dancing. Kibaki called the victory “a renewal for the nation”.
“The historic journey that started more than 20 years ago has come to a happy end,” Kibaki said, flanked by Odinga and cabinet ministers who backed the new law.
“We shall soon announce the date of promulgation of the new constitution,” said Kibaki, who promised to work with those who opposed the law in realising the dream of Kenya’s founders.
Higher Education Minister William Ruto, leader of the “No” side, conceded defeat before Kibaki spoke, but quickly went on the offensive saying 60 percent of registered voters had either abstained or said “No”, so there should be immediate consultations with the “Yes” side on amendments to the new law.
“(The) majority had their way, we had our say. Now that Kenyans have endorsed that we pass, we are now proposing immediate consultations,” Ruto told a news conference.