Kenya PM Odinga assures investors over 2012 elections

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has assured those keen to invest in Kenya that the 2012 elections will be peaceful.

Mr Odinga, who is in Kigali, Rwanda, said Kenyans are addressing the institutional failures that led to the violence in 2007-2008 and said there would be no recurrence of violence.

Addressing a conference organised by the Economist on the investment climate within the East Africa Community, the PM said Kenyans were let down by institutions that were expected to ensure peaceful elections in 2007, a failure he said would not recur in 2012.

Asked about his role in post-2012 Kenya, the PM said: "After the elections, you will have the opportunity to refer to me as either the ex-Prime Minister or Mr President."

Mr Odinga said security agencies, the courts and the electoral commission all let down Kenya in 2007 but they were all undergoing fundamental reforms to ensure free and fair polls next year.

"We had an electoral commission that was not equal to the task. Its appointment and composition was contentious from the start. But reforms have taken place. We have a reforming judiciary, led by a new Chief Justice appointed transparently and competitively.

"We also have a new electoral body and a new Constitution. I therefore urge you to end this anxiety about Kenya in 2012. There will be a government after that election and it will have been picked in a free and fair election," the PM said.

The PM asked would-be investors to recognise the love of peace by the people of Kenya, a feature he said contributed significantly to the signing of the Peace Accord that ended the violence.

He said in countries where citizens have been unwilling to compromise, election violence has often led to full scale civil war.

"Peace came to Kenya because our people were willing to make compromises and move on, in line with the wishes of the international community who also helped us," the PM said.

On competitiveness of the EAC, Mr Odinga called for investment in infrastructure of roads, railways, airports, ports and energy.

He said quick clearance of goods at the port and rapid transportation to destinations was critical to ensuring the region's competitiveness.

Mr Odinga later held talks with President Paul Kagame at State House Kigali.

He was accompanied by Cabinet ministers Musa Sirma (East African Community) and John Munyes (Labour).

The PM leaves Kigali for Jinja later Wednesday where he is expected at Busoga University with President Yoweri Museveni Thursday.