Kibaki says Kenya on course in reforms agenda

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has assured citizens and the international community that the government has made tremendous progress in the implementation of Agenda 4 of the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation Accord.

Kibaki who during a meeting with visiting US Congressmen led by the House Democracy Assistance Commission chairman David Price late Thursday, Kibaki briefed them various reforms being undertaken by the government to improve on governance and efficiency in public institutions in the country. "The Coalition Government is promoting equality of opportunity, good relations, harmony and peaceful co-existence between persons of different ethnic and racial communities through the National Cohesion and Integration Commission," Kibaki said according to a statement issued after the meeting.

Under constitutional reforms, President Kibaki said the Draft Constitution which was adopted by Parliament in April and published by the Attorney General will be subjected to a referendum on August 4 this year.

He observed that the police, judiciary and the electoral commission are among other institutions targeted for reforms by the Grand Coalition Government.

President Kibaki noted that formulation of a National Land policy whose key elements have been incorporated in the Draft Constitution has been completed and a sessional paper ready for discussion in parliament.

He said the ruling coalition government has put in place the necessary mechanisms to ensure harmonious co-existence of the various ethnic communities in the country.

The Kenyan leader urged the US government and the international community to consider providing technical and financial support to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia to deal with extremist insurgency and stabilize the country. "President Kibaki emphasized that the deteriorating situation in Somalia remains a key security threat to not only Kenya but had graduated to a global challenge," the statement said.

The President said Kenya and America enjoyed cordial and broad- based relations characterized by long standing partnerships and cooperation in several areas of mutual interest.

Source: Xinhua