ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga, spoke about light at the end of the tunnel as a ray of hope shone across the country with the signing of the peace accord.

On Thursday, Raila led the way in closing the gap of a deeply divided nation with a declaration that the landmark agreement had given the country a new lease of life.

‘We have began a journey that we will walk together. I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel,” declared Raila, moments after signing the agreement at the staircases of Harambee House.

The Lang’ata MP gave ODM’s solemn commitment to ensure implementation of the agreement succeeded.

He said the ball would now move partially to Parliament to ensure that the necessary legislation was enacted as quickly as possible so that the country could embark on reconstruction.

Raila recalled the “story of sadness” that had become Kenya since it plunged into what he described as the worst crisis ever in the country’s 45-year independence history.

“For the last two months Kenyans have known nothing but sadness. Many have been killed, many orphaned, many widowed and many displaced. We should ensure that Kenyans begin to celebrate and love each other.

We should not waste a single minute to ensure that Kenyans seize the opportunity to get on with their lives. We should ensure that no Kenyan ever loses their life again senselessly.”

He noted that the crisis should be used as a springboard to a prosperous nation, saying; “The crisis has taught Kenyans an important lesson to forge a firm foundation for a united country”.

Raila thanked those who stood by Kenya in the “hour of need”, including the African Union, European Union, US and the UN.

Without their intervention, he said, it would not have been possible to settle the political crisis.

He recalled the tough path trodden by the negotiating teams during the five weeks of intense mediation talks.

He thanked the AU chairman and Tanzanian President, Mr Jakaya Kikwete, his predecessor Ghanaian President, Mr John Kuffuor, and the entire mediation team for their efforts.