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Last Updated: 5/7/2012
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Prime Minister Raila Odinga today said the so-called oil purchase deal between Kenya and Iran is older than the recent sanctions and is not an indication Nairobi’s breaking of ranks with the international community.
The PM said the oil MOU “has a history” having been signed first in 2005 on understandings that Iran never fulfilled.
As a result, no oil has been imported from Iran and none was going to be imported because the conditions were not getting fulfilled.
At the same time, Mr Odinga asked the US government to support Kenya in its war against terrorism by helping restore stability in Somalia.
Speaking when he received a delegation from the US Congress who paid him a courtesy call, Mr Odinga said that when signed in 2005, the MoU provided that Kenya would import crude oil from Iran at discounted prices.
The MoU has been renewed during State visits but no oil has ever been imported, the PM said.
“No oil was procured because Iran never offered any concessions or discounts. There was no likelihood that any Kenyan company or the Government was going to import Iranian oil. Somebody just stumbled onto a fairly old document and presented it as new and a defiance of the international community,” he said.
The US lawmakers, led by Congressman David Dreier, are in the country largely to farmiliarise themselves with preparations for the coming general election.
The delegation was keen on measures being taken the forth coming polls are transparent.
Accompanied by Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Eugene Wamalwa, Attorney General Githu Muigai and the Chairman of the Constitution Implementation Commission Charles Nyachae, the PM said the country has covered significant ground in ensuring the elections are free, fair and peaceful.
He cited reforms in the Judiciary, Police and Land as some of the measures that will ensure peaceful polls.
On war on terror, the PM said Kenya is carrying a huge burden on behalf of the international community and deserved support.
He appealed to the US to help create a conducive environment inside Somalia by providing basic necessities in liberated areas to prevent a continued influx of refugees to Kenya.
“We want US solidarity to help us help the people of Somalia solve their problems,” the PM said.
He appealed for continued sharing of intelligence that could lead to prevention of terrorism and arrest of perpetrators.
PMPS
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