The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, has committed the Commonwealth to providing rapid support to implement the changes agreed decisively in the constitutional referendum, which took place in Kenya, on 4 August 2010.

“The referendum is a milestone in Kenya’s history. The people have chosen a path for the future, which offers political stability and a stronger constitutional foundation on which both democracy and development can be advanced,” the Secretary-General said.

“The Commonwealth Secretariat has been in preparatory discussions for some time with the Government of Kenya to identify where Commonwealth assistance would be most beneficial if the referendum was passed. The Commonwealth is ready to begin work to help support the changes for which the people of Kenya have voted.”

The Secretary-General also praised the people of Kenya for the orderly and peaceful conduct of the referendum, and commended the Interim Independent Election Commission (IIEC) for managing the process in a professional, efficient and effective manner.

Cathy Price Administrative Assistant Communications & Public Affairs Division   Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 20 7747 6386    Fax: Direct +44 (0) 20 7004 3771  General: +44 (0) 20 7839 9081 Web: www.thecommonwealth.org