President Mwai Kibaki today has assured that Kenya is firmly on the path to achieve comprehensive reforms that will midwife a prosperous and cohesive nation.

President Kibaki made the remarks today when he met and held discussions with United Nations Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs, Mr. Lynn Pascoe who paid a courtesy call on him at Harambee House.

The President briefed the UN Under-Secretary on the achievements and progress made by the Grand Coalition Government in realization of the national reform agenda.

The Head of State noted that the Constitutional Review Process was firmly on course and that three major issues of contention have been identified by the Committee of Experts and a harmonized draft will soon be published for public debate.

With regard to addressing historical injustices, the President said that the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission had been established to help foster national healing and reconciliation.

President Kibaki noted that the Interim Independent Electoral Commission was already in place and had already conducted two parliamentary by-elections and was currently undertaking national voter registration.

On regional matters the President appealed to the international community to support the Transitional Federal Government and Somalia people to achieve their aspirations of a stable and peaceful nation.

He also noted that the international community should explore ways of supporting the TFG in halting the activities of the Al-Shabaab Militia which are a threat to the attainment of a stable Somalia.

The Head of State asked the international community to fulfill pledges of US dollars 214 million in support of the Somalia peace process out which only US dollars 47 million have so far been released.

He assured that Kenya remains committed to upholding international norms and United Nations resolution of denying groups that threaten peace, security or stability of Somalia.

Noting that Kenya bears the heaviest brunt of the continued instability, the President termed the piracy off the Somalia coastline a regional security threat as well as a hindrance to international trade.

Kenya currently hosts over 280,000 Somalia refugees with another 10,000 entering the country every month due to the current instability.

The UN under-secretary is visiting the region to discuss peace on security challenges facing the region and sample Kenya’s progress in the reform process.

Mr. Lynn was accompanied by Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Oyld Abdallah and UN Senior Political Officer Mamadi Toure.

In attendance were Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula, Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura and Permanent Secretary Foreign Affairs Thuita Mwangi.




PPS
October 23, 2009