After a consultative and comprehensive constitution review process, we have now come to a defining moment in our nation’s history.

Tomorrow, Kenyans will embark on a journey that, will herald a new chapter in our nation’s rich history.

Tomorrow, you will be called upon to participate by voting in the referendum on the proposed constitution. I, appeal to you all to seize the moment, and exercise your constitutional right and vote to determine the destiny of our country. The constitution is, about our nation, our people, our hopes and aspirations.

Tomorrow, we cast our votes to determine, how we want our country governed. We vote for a future of hope, progress and stability. I, appeal to Kenyans to turn out and cast their votes in large numbers. Let us do so peacefully. Let us also embrace one another as brothers and sisters even after the referendum.

God placed us in a beautiful country, Kenya. Let us remain united and focused on the work ahead. As we recite from our National Anthem “may we dwell in Unity, peace and Liberty.” Let us all play our role in creating a great Kenyan nation, at peace with itself and respected among the greater family of nations.

I assure you all that, security has been stepped up in all parts of the country.

Tomorrow, let us all go out and vote peacefully. Thereafter let us get back to undertaking the urgent work of nation building and creating opportunities for our people in this great land we call our home.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Since the 2007 election that ended in chaos, the world has entertained a belief that Kenyans cannot hold peaceful, free and fair polls. A number of Kenyans are unfortunately embracing this view.

I disagree very strongly. I believe Kenyans can hold elections that are free on ugly incidents, fair and transparent.

Tomorrow, we have a date with destiny as a nation. As we go to the referendum to decide whether the Proposed Constitution should be our Supreme Law or not, I want to appeal to our people to prove the world wrong.

I want to appeal to all Kenyans, Red or Green, to turn out in large numbers and cast their vote. I appeal to each of our citizens to ensure peace prevails throughout the voting period and after.

Let us prove to the world and to ourselves that Kenya should and can be one nation, never divisible by religion, tribe, political party, race or any of the myriad issues that are bound to come up from time to time.

Let us make a statement once and for all that we are not just a collection of tribes, clans, religious groups or races. Let us prove that we, the people of Kenya, can still stand up and make hard decisions for ourselves peacefully, in a free and fair contest.

The decision we make at this poll will stay with us, our children and grandchildren for generations to come. It is the same way the decision our parents and grandparents made in Lancaster in the 1960s have stayed with us till this day.

Whatever his or her stand, each and every Kenyan who registered as a voter should cast the vote. This decision is too important to be made without the input of every Kenyan of voting age.

Let us be patient and tolerant as we wait to vote. Let us help the infirm, the elderly and all others who may have problems accessing polling stations. Let us be gracious and kind to fellow citizens.

As we cast the ballot in this landmark process, let us remember of that casting the ballot is but only part of the journey. There is still quite a distance to cover. The road ahead will be long, rough and sometimes steep.

It will take unity of purpose, determination, focus and a realization that in the end, we all belong to one nation, the Republic of Kenya, for us to succeed.

We shall overcome.

RAILA ODINGA,
PRIME MINISTER
REPUBLIC OF KENYA.
AUGUST 3, 2010.