Kibaki heads to London for Somalia meet

President Kibaki has left the country to attend the London Conference on Somalia.

During the conference, President Kibaki will appraise world leaders on the situation in Somalia. Kenya has in the past brokered peace deals for Somalia. This culminated in the establishment of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG).

The President will also highlight the progress that has been made following the "Operation Linda Nchi” that the Kenya Defence Forces have undertaken to defend Kenya's territorial integrity and also supplement the efforts of the TFG forces and those of Amisom in dealing with the destabilising forces of the Al-Shabaab.

The conference, which brings together leaders and representatives from over 40 governments and multi-lateral organisations and representatives of Somalia's Transitional Government, will serve as a catalyst to a new and sustainable international approach to Somalia.

The delegates will discuss how best the international community can scale-up its efforts to tackle both the root causes and effects of the security problems in that country.

The conference is expected to agree on sustainable funding for the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom), and support for Somali security and justice sectors.

The international community will also deliberate and agree with the Somalia leaders on a political system to succeed the transitional institutions in Mogadishu while renewing their commitment to collectively tackle Somalia's terrorist threat.

President Kibaki and his entourage left Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly before midnight.