President Kibaki assures on election

President Mwai Kibaki has reassured Kenyans and the international community that the government was committed to a free, fair and peaceful election. 

Speaking at State House Nairobi Friday when he received credentials from seven incoming envoys, President Kibaki said no efforts would be spared to ensure that the elections are conducted democratically.

"Kenyans have confidence in our electoral process and as a government we will ensure that peace is maintained and that the democratic values that we cherish are respected. No one will be allowed to interfere with that process."Said the President, 

The envoys were Mr. Ahmad Bader Mahmoud AL-Razouqi of Kuwaiti,Mrs. Christina Msadabwe Lambert of Zambia,Mr. Igor Haustrate of Belgium and Ms Heli Annikki Sirre of Finland.  

Others were Mr. Mohammed Ali Nur of Somalia, Mr. Shingeo Iwatani of Japan and Mrs. Anna Grupinska of Poland.

Presenting her credentials ambassador Heli expressed Finland's confidence that Kenya will have peaceful and fair campaigns.  

She said Finland appreciates Kenya's peace efforts and its stabilizing role in the Horn of Africa and expressed her country's willingness to render support to these efforts. 

Presenting his credentials, ambassador Al-Razouqi underscored the relations between Kenya and Kuwaiti noting that they had been further strengthened following the historic meeting between President Kibaki and the Amir of Kuwaiti in March, 2007.  

In her presentation Zambian High Commissioner Mrs. Lambert said the Joint Permanent commission established between Kenya and Zambia has provided the two countries an avenue for addressing issues ranging from commerce and trade to environment and tourism. 

Ambassador Igor said his country highly rated the relations between Kenya and Belgium because Kenya's role as a mediator of the great Lakes region and pacifier of Somalia and Southern Sudan, Kenya's position in preventing and fighting intolerance and terrorism and Nairobi being the headquarters of UNEP and HABITAT. 

Ambassador Mohammed Ali Nur said during his tour of duty no efforts would be spared to further promote the cooperation between Kenya and Somalia.  

Ambassador Iwatani of Japan said the partnership between Kenya and Japan is taking on greater importance not only for poverty reduction and economic growth in Kenya, but also for peace and prosperity in this region. 

While ambassador Anna of Poland noted that Kenya and Poland, both being strong leaders in their respective regions can greatly benefit from tightening of the existing economic, political and social relations between the two countries.

President Kibaki told the envoys to feel free and travel around the country noting that they did not need special permission for travel, as Kenya had no restrictions of foreign envoys. 

The President said Kenya valued relations between her and their countries and encouraged them to visit projects undertaken jointly by Kenya and their respective countries to see the progress. 

Also present were the Minister for foreign Affairs Raphael Tuju, assistant Minister Kembi Gitura and Permanent secretary Thuita Mwangi.

Source: KBC, October 19, 2007