Kibaki expresses commitment to US ties

President Kibaki has said the Kenya Government is committed to improving its relations with the United States.

While speaking in an an interview which will be used for a promotional video of Kenya in the US, the President said Kenyans are proud of US President Barack Obama who traces his roots to Kenya.

“We see this special connection as a unique opportunity for us to strengthen the ties of friendship between the people of our two countries,” President Kibaki said.

The President also said direct air links between Kenya and the US would boost relations, and welcomed American investors and tourists to Kenya.

Presently, Kenya has no direct flight connection with the US. Delta Airlines, which had been scheduled to start direct flights between the two countries earlier in June was pulled off at the last moment.

Reforms

On reforms, the President said the government was in the process of entrenching Kenyans views into the constitutional review process.

"The process has begun and I am confident that we will have a new constitution in the coming months.”

President Kibaki said the country’s national development blueprint Vision 2030 geared towards transforming Kenya into a medium income country within the next twenty years envisioned a nation with a vibrant economy with its citizens at peace and enjoying high standards of living.

The President observed that Kenya is also the preferred investment destination due to its strategic location as the gateway to both the East African Community and the Common Markets for East and Central Africa (COMESA) region.