It is heartening that the President Kibaki-chaired National Economic and Social Council has given Kenya a thumbs-up in their latest review of the country’s progress with observation that we are on course to economic recovery, with a projected growth of 5.2 per cent this year.

The council, on which local and international eminent persons sit, and at which Kenya’s socio-economic issues are discussed and solutions put forth, has been offering policy direction to the Cabinet since its inception in 2005.

The post-election violence of 2008 is an experience most Kenyans would like to forget quickly and move on because it eroded the economic gains since 2003.

The road to recovery in the last two and a half years has been turbulent. Finally, everything is looking up. With the new Constitution providing a fresh impetus for economic growth and development, there is a renewed sense of optimism.

There is high hope the Government will move fast to implement the new Constitution. It would be prudent for the Government to ride on this optimism and fast track the implementation of the new Constitution. This will ensure Kenyans reap the benefits of the new order to improve their livelihoods.

It is worth noting that the investment climate has been improving, leading to renewed investor confidence. The increased investment in the production of electricity to meet the rising demand for power is a huge plus, but costs still need to come down.

Tourism is also on the rebound, with more visitors arriving. The landing of the fibre optic cable also opens great opportunity for business.

There are, however, several aspects that still need attention to maximise on Kenya’s potential for economic growth and development.

The unemployment levels are still too high and, especially, among the youth. The gap between the rich and the poor is still too wide, the saving ratio is still too low, and the rural-urban migration is still a challenge.

The council, in its press briefing after its two days of deliberations in Nairobi, pointed out the need to develop a comprehensive strategy on creating employment for the soaring constituency of young people.

There is need to tackle the twin issues of corruption and red tape that continue being major impediments to doing business. One only hopes that the anti-corruption war will derive a new impetus from the new Constitution to stamp out brazen graft, which makes accessing simple services a challenge.

The provision in the new Constitution that allows the appointment of Cabinet Secretaries from outside Parliament is expected to depoliticise the Public Service, and hopefully improve public services.

We would like to echo the appeal by the council for a lowering of political temperatures to enable the development of a conducive environment for the implementation of the new Constitution.

As we have pointed out before, it is foolish for us, as a nation, to always stay on election mode. Coalition partners PNU and ODM owe it to the nation to work together in harmony for the good of the people. Persistent wrangles over issues that can be resolved at meetings, away from the glare of the public, only serve to frustrate national aspirations.

The lesson that the post-election violence thrust on us is that economic development without political stability is akin to building a house on quicksand. The chaos clawed back a sizeable chunk of national gains.

And the coalition demonstrated during the campaigns for the referendum that with goodwill and a common goal, the coalition can work together to satisfy national aspirations.

Now that President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga have given their commitment to work together in moving the nation forward, we hope the two principals will whip their lieutenants to pull together. If they do so, it would go a long way in safeguarding the road to economic recovery.