UK SAYS YES

The United Kingdom has pledged to support political and economic reforms in Kenya.

Prime Minister David Cameron said his government will provide "vigorous political and economic reform" in Kenya and it remains committed to the UK's strong partnership with the east African country, during talks with his Kenyan counterpart Raila Odinga at 10 Downing Street Friday.

Mr Odinga's talks with the British PM, the latter's first meeting with an African leader since assuming office, dwelt on the constitutional review process.

The Kenyan PM said the Grand Coalition Government is determined to deliver a strong Yes vote at the referendum and bring to and end the country's long search for a new constitution.

Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham said the UK will offer support in key areas such as constitutional, electoral and police reform.

He urged strong leadership from President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga to fight corruption and impunity, including getting justice for post-election violence victims.

The Department for International Development Minister Stephen O’Brien said Britain was committed to helping Kenya achieve the

Millennium Development Goals, with significant development assistance.

Intended purpose

The assistance would be targeted to ensure it represented good value for money and achieved its intended purpose, Mr O'Brien said.

He asked the Kenya Government to show leadership in the forensic audit on Free Primary Education and a credible government response to its findings.

Mr O'Brien also welcomed the recent progress on police reform.

The three leaders discussed the wider situation in the Horn of Africa.

Mr Bellingham noted Britain’s leading role in providing naval protection, which helped support continued international trade with Kenya and the region.

Biggest headache

He welcomed the role Kenya had played to contain piracy and hoped discussions on cooperation within the international framework would continue.

During his meeting with Mr Cameron, Mr Odinga advised on coalition politics telling the former that constant consultations were the key to a stable coalition.

He told the British PM that his biggest headache would probably come from members of his own party, who might feel left out of key positions as a result of the power sharing arrangement.

Mr Cameron, of the Conservative Party, formed a coalition with the Liberal Democrats led by Nick Clegg after winning the UK elections in May but falling short of an absolute majority in Parliament.

Mr Odinga is in the UK for the launch of the Africa-UK Engineering for Development Partnership at the Royal Academy of Engineering.