President hails vote on Kenyan constitution as a 'national renewal'

KENYA'S president heralded the passage of a new constitution as a "national renewal" yesterday, after results showed almost 70 per cent of voters backed the document replacing a British colonial-era draft that inflated the powers of the presidency.

Opponents of the new constitution conceded defeat gracefully, paving the way for a peaceful transition to the new draft document. Ethnically charged violence left more than 1,000 people dead following the disputed 2007 presidential election, raising concerns about the aftermath of the vote.

Kenya's election commission said 69 per cent of the eight million who cast ballots backed the new constitution, an overwhelming victory that may have helped quash any potential for violence. Turnout was 72 per cent.

William Ruto, Kenya's higher education minister and a leader of the "No" team, said he "respected the will of the majority".

The new constitution would dramatically cut the president's powers, paving the way for much-needed land reform.