NAIROBI, (Reuters) – Kenyans passed a new constitution  in a peaceful referendum that could reshape the political  landscape of east Africa’s largest economy, official results  showed yesterday.

Greater checks on presidential powers were among changes  voted through in Wednesday’s referendum, which came two years  after allegations over vote-rigging in a presidential election  ignited violence that killed 1,300 people.

The new legal framework addresses the corruption, political  patronage, land-grabbing and tribalism which have plagued Kenya  since it won independence from Britain in 1963.

The referendum win could help Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s  presidential bid in the next elections in 2012, analysts said.  President Mwai Kibaki cannot stand again as he has already  served two terms.

Final official referendum results showed 67 percent of  voters had cast their ballots in favour of the law, and 30  percent voted “No”, Kenya’s electoral authority said.

To be adopted, the law required 50 percent plus one vote of  the ballot cast nationally, and at least 25 percent of the votes  in five of Kenya’s eight provinces.

U.S. President Barack Obama, America’s first black president  whose father was Kenyan, described the referendum as a  “significant step for Kenya’s democracy” in a statement issued  by the White House.

The Kenyan “Yes” camp earlier claimed victory in the capital  in front of a sea of supporters blowing vuvuzelas, chanting and  dancing. Kibaki called the victory “a renewal for the nation”.

“The historic journey that started more than 20 years ago  has come to a happy end,” Kibaki said, flanked by Odinga and  cabinet ministers who backed the new law.

“We shall soon announce the date of promulgation of the new  constitution,” said Kibaki, who promised to work with those who  opposed the law in realising the dream of Kenya’s founders.

Higher Education Minister William Ruto, leader of the “No”  side, conceded defeat before Kibaki spoke, but quickly went on  the offensive saying 60 percent of registered voters had either  abstained or said “No”, so there should be immediate  consultations with the “Yes” side on amendments to the new law.

“(The) majority had their way, we had our say. Now that  Kenyans have endorsed that we pass, we are now proposing  immediate consultations,” Ruto told a news conference.