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Nairobi, Febuary 27, 2009

President Mwai Kibaki has assured Kenyans that the implementation of the national peace and reconciliation accord is on course as evidenced by the achievements of the grand coalition government in the last one-year.

These include restoration of peace and normalcy after the post election violence, resettling and providing over 95 per cent of the displaced persons with basic needs and power sharing by PNU and ODM as outlined by the National Dialogue and Reconciliation committee.

In a statement marking the first anniversary of the grand coalition Government, the Head of state commended Leaders and all Kenyans in general for their political maturity that has contributed to the Government's positive strides in the last one year.

President Kibaki said the creation of the grand coalition Government had enabled all political parties to share the responsibilities of managing the affairs of the Country.

The President noted that on the basis of the shared agenda, different policies and programmes proposed in the PNU, ODM and ODM-K manifestoes have been harmonized into a joint national agenda under implementation by the grand coalition Government.

"I am also encouraged to note that though parties in the coalition Government subscribe to different party manifestoes, we are all united by the common desire of building a stable and prosperous Country", the statement said.

Free tuition and day secondary school successfully implemented by the Government in the last one-year is part of the recommendations in the manifestoes, the President said.

On establishment of a special tribunal to try post election suspects, President Kibaki assured Kenyans that the Government is consulting with the panel of eminent persons led by former UN Secretary General Dr. Koffi Annan on the way forward after parliament rejected the establishment of a special local tribunal,

" I note that establishment of a special local tribunal as recommended in the post election violence commission report to try those suspected of having perpetuated the post election violence failed in parliament. I reaffirm the commitment of my Government to ending the culture of impunity by ensuring that justice is done", the president said

Regarding the fourth and final agenda which amon other calls for constitutional and electoral reforms, the President noted that commendable progress had been made, including implementation of the recommendation of the Independent Review Commission.

The government is also addressing issues of Poverty alleviation, inequitable distribution of national resources and regional imbalance, President Kibaki said.

Other priority areas of the grand coalition Government include finalizing the National Land Policy and a comprehensive strategy to combat youth unemployment.

The President called on Kenyans and political leaders in particular to uphold the spirit of patriotism and commitment to the well being of the Country so that outstanding issues can be finalized.

The President also urged members of the coalition Government to continue bonding in the spirit of good faith and mutual trust which alone will guarantee the success of national agendas.