Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has reaffirmed Kenya’s enduring gratitude to the late President Mwai Kibaki for his pivotal role in delivering the country’s 2010 Constitution. Speaking at the inaugural Mwai Kibaki Annual Memorial Lecture held at Nairobi Serena Hotel, Kalonzo said the event was a fitting tribute to a leader whose legacy continues to shape the nation.
Kalonzo, who served as Kibaki’s Vice President during the Grand Coalition Government formed after the 2007 post-election violence, said the 2010 Constitution stands as one of the most progressive in Africa. He credited Kibaki’s vision and leadership for ensuring its passage, especially following the failed Wako Draft in 2005.
“It is this constitution that now, more than ever, holds the fabric of our nation together at these grave and perilous times,” Kalonzo stated, calling the memorial lecture a worthy endeavour to honour the ideals and values Kibaki stood for.
Recalling his first encounter with Kibaki in 1985, Kalonzo described the former President as a disciplined, visionary leader whose international reputation as Finance Minister was unmatched. He also noted that TIME magazine had named Kibaki among the world’s top 100 individuals with leadership potential in 1974—recognition that, Kalonzo said, foreshadowed Kibaki’s eventual presidency.
Kalonzo recounted how his relationship with Kibaki grew more personal during their time in the National Rainbow Coalition and how Kibaki’s outreach to ODM-Kenya led to the formation of Kenya’s first coalition government. He said this spirit of unity helped steer the country out of a political crisis and paved the way for lasting reforms.
In a passionate defence of the constitution Kibaki helped bring to life, Kalonzo condemned recent events where Butere Girls High School students were teargassed during a National Drama Festival in Nakuru. He termed the incident an assault on freedom of expression and a violation of Article 33 of the Constitution.
“As we honour President Kibaki… we will continue to defend the constitution, protect all Kenyans’ freedoms and rights, and we will not be silenced,” Kalonzo declared.
