NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 12- The government has declared Friday August 27 a public holiday to give Kenyans time to witness the promulgation of the new Constitution.
Spokesman Alfred Mutua said on Thursday that Kenyans would be given time off in order to join in the historic celebrations. He said the government was organising an elaborate ceremony to mark the ushering in of the new law.
“The event is planned to be held at Uhuru Park and will be marked with pomp. It will be larger than regular national day celebrations. Leaders from other countries are being invited to join us during the celebrations,” said Dr Mutua.
Promulgation is the act of formally announcing or declaring a new statutory or administrative law as having effect.
“To ensure that the whole country participates, representatives from all provinces will travel to Nairobi to take part in the function,” the spokesman said during his weekly media briefing.
The new Constitution was ratified by Kenyans last Wednesday in a referendum and the initial result of the referendum gazetted on Friday, August 6.
President Kibaki chose August 27 as the date to promulgate the new Constitution in conformity with the Constitution of Kenya Review Act 2008.
The Act that presents the review road map says the final result can only be published after any petitions are disposed of, or at the expiry of the 14 days if there are no disputes.
The historic event will be done in public and witnessed by Kenyans whom the document will govern for many generations to come.
Dr Mutua said the day will mark the “rebirth of our country and something that will bring major and important changes that will propel this country to great heights.”
A spot check at the Uhuru Park Grounds, showed a flurry of activities indicative of the high profile event that is expected at the historic grounds.
Joint teams from the Nairobi City Council and the Ministry of Public Works were busy sprucing the main dais; some could be seen repainting the pillars at the dais which usually bear the colours of the national flag.
Another team was re-touching the floor and surrounding near the main dais and also the main terrace where thousands of Kenyans are expected to sit during the historic occasion, while another team was busy re-carpeting a part of the road that connects the Park to the Uhuru Highway.
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