Kibaki assures on peaceful Kenya elections

President Kibaki has said the government has put in place measures to ensure the next elections will be peaceful, free and fair.

He said the necessary institutions to oversee the transition are in rude health the government will see to it that views and aspirations of Kenyans are reflected during the polls.

President Kibaki was speaking Tuesday at his Harambee House office, Nairobi when he bade farewell to Anna Grupinska, the outgoing Poland ambassador to Kenya.

He called for enhanced trade between the two countries as a way of further bolstering their friendship.

“We need to move with speed and exploit the existing potential in business and trade for the benefit of our citizens,” President Kibaki said.

Ms Grupinska noted that the greatest legacy of President Kibaki, other than improved roads and the enactment of the new Constitution, is the increased rights and freedoms enjoyed by Kenyans.

On reforms, the ambassador commended the Kenyan Government for the achievements so far made, saying the implementation of the reforms should continue for the good of the people of Kenya.

Ms Grupinska said Poland successfully underwent a transformation through reconciliation and hoped that Kenya would continue on the path of reconciliation for the sake of peace and national unity.

She also supported Kenya’s stand that the United Nations Environmental Programme (Unep) be upgraded into a fully-fledged independent international body with its headquarters remaining in Nairobi.

Ms Grupinska is going back home after a successful five-year tour of duty in Kenya.

Present during the occasion were Foreign Affairs minister Prof Sam Ongeri, the acting Head of Public Service Francis Kimemia, Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi and the Head of Europe and Commonwealth desk Lazarus Amayo.