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U.S. Vice President Urges Kenyans To Embrace Reform

   Peter Clottey 08 June 2010
   U.S.  Vice  President  Joe  Biden,  left,  speaks during a joint press
   conference  with  Kenyan  President Mwai Kibaki, right, at State House
   Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Photo: AP

   U.S.  Vice  President  Joe  Biden,  left,  speaks during a joint press
   conference  with  Kenyan  President Mwai Kibaki, right, at State House
   Nairobi,  Kenya  Tuesday,  June  8,  2010. Kenya's president asked the
   United  States  on  Tuesday  to lead a greater international effort to
   stabilize  neighboring Somalia, while visiting U.S. Vice President Joe
   Biden  said  the  U.S.  is  committed  to  helping  Kenya see regional
   stability.(AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)

   Kenyaâs foreign minister said visiting U.S Vice President Joseph Biden
   is  scheduled  to  address  a  public  forum  in  the capital, Nairobi
   Wednesday.

   Moses Wetangula told VOA that Mr. Biden had a âwonderfulâ meeting with
   President  Mwai  Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga as well as senior
   government  officials.  He  said the meeting with Vice President Biden
   centered on strong bilateral cooperation and issues affecting the East
   African region.

   âToday,  in  the  morning,  he  is  scheduled  to  meet  and address a
   congregation  of  several groupings of civil society, NGOâs, academics
   and  other  Kenyans  of  good will from all over Nairobi, and who will
   congregate at the Kenyatta Conference Center,â he said.

   The  public forum address forms part of Mr. Bidenâs three-day official
   visit  to  explain  to  Kenyans  the  discussions  he held with senior
   government  officials,  including  President Kibaki and Prime Minister
   Odinga.

   President   Barack   Obamaâs  administration  has  encouraged  Kenyaâs
   coalition  government to reform crucial state institutions. This comes
   after  the  popular  demand  for more democratic reforms following the
   2007 post-election violence that led to the loss of life and property.

   Some  key  government  officials  have  been accused of corruption and
   hindering  reforms,  which led to Washingtonâs decision to ban Kenyaâs
   attorney general, Amos Wako, from traveling to the United States.

   Shortly  after  holding  discussions with senior government officials,
   Mr.  Biden  reportedly  encouraged  Kenyans to move ahead with ongoing
   reforms.

   Vice  President Biden was quoted by the local media as saying âputting
   in  place a new constitution and strengthening democratic institutions
   and  rule  of  law  will  further  open  the  door  to  major American
   development programs ... and will bring about reinvestment by American
   corporationsâ¦Americans  want to do business here, they want to travel
   here and, with the right climate, they will come.â

   Foreign  minister Wetangula said the countryâs reforms are progressing
   steadily.

   âThe  reforms  are  on  course⦠ we are actually right on schedule on
   every  aspect  of  reform culminating in the referendum to approve the
   new constitution scheduled for 4th August. Now, the vice president, of
   course,  indicated  in  the discussions that President Barack Obama is
   keen  to see that Kenya is able to achieve lasting reforms through the
   promulgation of our new constitution, which we are doing, by the way,â
   Wetangula said.

   He  also  said  President  Kibaki  urged Washington to lead the way in
   efforts  by  regional  and  conditional  groups  to  restore peace and
   security in neighboring Somalia.

   Meanwhile,   the   Interim  Electoral  Commission  has  announced  its
   readiness  to  conduct the referendum on Kenyaâs proposed constitution
   as originally scheduled for 4^th August.

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