It is exceedingly rare for an event in Africa to be met with near-universal acclaim. But the approval of Kenya’s new constitution seems to qualify.
Kenyans are celebrating the news, in which they played a part by their participation in the referendum to approve the constitution. President Mwai Kibaki, who shares some of the blame for the 2007-2008 post-election fiasco, has hailed the new constitution and its official introduction. Media reports have talked about “a nation reborn” and even normally skeptical analysts are gushing about “history in the making.” Kenyan optimism is skyrocketing, and even tourism numbers are poised to break records.
Of course a caveat is still probably necessary: The new constitution marks the beginning of a new phase, not the end, of a long struggle for state building. But there is no question that the ebullient mood is a good sign that Kenyans want to get on with the business of moving forward.
