NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 31- President Mwai Kibaki was on Thursday night scheduled to lead the nation in ushering in the New Year 2010 at State House Mombasa.
The Head of State was expected to highlight plans for the coming year; mainly reforms and the realisation of a new constitution.
"The New Year celebrations are scheduled to commence at 11.00 p.m. The climax of the celebrations will be an address to the nation by His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki." a brief statement from the Presidential Press Service said.
Meanwhile, Catholic Faithful in Kericho were on Thursday evening expected to join Catholic Military Bishop Alfred Rotich to usher in 2010 in a special mass celebration intended to promote peace.
Member of the organising Committee Fr Martin Wanyoike told Capital News that the mass to be held at the Kericho Sacred Heart Cathedral will also mark the launch of a campaign to restore lasting peace after the 2007 post election violence and also protect the environment.
"Every New Year is a world day of peace but tomorrow (Friday) we will focus on post election crisis experiences, it will also reflect on the murder of Fr Jerald Roche who was killed two weeks ago. Peace means a lot," he said.
Fr Martin Wanyoike who is also the Kenya Episcopal Conference Spokesman said the mass will as well be in line with the Pope\’s message that the environment is a precondition to lasting peace in the world.
He said Bishop Rotich will lead the faithful to plant trees at the foot of the Mau Forest owing to the controversy surrounding the country\’s major water catchment tower.
He said the day will be followed with a series of events geared to preserving the environment and call for peace in remembrance for those who died following the disputed presidential election but with the aim of preventing a recurrence of the violence.
Bishop Rotich will also be celebrating his 25 years as a priest.
Fr Wanyoike also said they have organised a mass celebration at Kamiti Maximum Prison to usher the New Year with inmates there.
Pope Benedict XVI was also expected to lead a vigil mass at the Vatican on Thursday evening and lead the world in celebrations to mark the World Day of Peace marked every 1st of January.
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