The Grand Coalition Government remains united and focused in the smooth implementation of the new constitution, President Kibaki has assured.

Speaking on Wednesday at his Harambee House when he met the board of the U.S. based National Democratic Institute (NDI), the President said the Grand Coalition had prioritized the passage of new laws to anchor the new constitution.

“We are working well as a Government and are mobilizing members of parliament to urgently pass the new laws, because we are fully aware that Kenyans have great expectations on the new constitution that they overwhelmingly voted for,” said the President.

The President noted that the constitution offered the country a great chance at entrenching far reaching reforms, and there was need to continue educating the public on their role and that of the government under the new structures in the new constitution.

“It is especially critical that we define clearly the relation between the three arms of government, now that the executive, legislature and judiciary will enjoy unprecedented levels of independence,” said the President.

President Kibaki thanked the NDI for its offer to help Kenya in the implementation stages of the new constitution.

“Kenyans have a good constitution. However we will also be happy to borrow best practices from various countries, as we embark on passing the legislation needed to support the constitution,” remarked the President.

The Head of State thanked NDI for hosting its Annual General meeting in Kenya at a time of the institutes 25^th Anniversary, saying it was a great honour for the country, coming soon after the promulgation of the new constitution.

The NDI Chairperson, Ms Madeline Albright, congratulated the Kenyan people for the passage and promulgation of the new constitution and pledged her Institutes support in the implementation stages.

She encouraged the Kenyan people to continue exhibiting the positive spirit that was evident on the promulgation day as the country embraces the new constitution.

“The Kenyan people should continue taking an interest in the implementation of the constitution, in order to protect the public sense of ownership of the constitution. We stand ready to support the people of Kenya in this journey of reform,” said the former U.S. Secretary of State.

Speaking during the meeting Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, who is also the Leader of Government Business, assured that Parliament was readying itself for the passage of legislation that would significantly transform the country.

“We know what needs to be done. We are aware of the great expectations of the Kenyan people. I believe that our parliament is equal to the task of engaging in some of the most intense legislative agenda in our country’s history,” said the Vice President.

Others who attended the meeting were former U.S. senator and majority leader and Vice Chairman of NDI Thomas Daschle and the institute’s board of directors, Ministers George Saitoti, Moses Wetangula and Mutula Kilonzo.