Ban Ki Moon

PMPS 31st March 2011.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga today held discussions with UN Secretary General Mr Ban Ki Moon on a range of issues including the intention of the Government of Kenya to field a candidate for the position of Assistant Secretary General at the UNEP Nairobi office.

The premier informed the UN boss that the country had settled for Dr. Alice Kaudia, a renowned conservationist whose colourful career in social and natural resource management saw her head the Eastern Africa International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for the UN position.

Mr Odinga also briefed the UN delegation on the status of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and the influx of refugees from war ravaged neighbouring countries. The delegation which jetted into the country last evening heard that at least 9000 aliens sought refuge into the country every month thereby posing health, environmental and security concerns to the host nations.

The two leaders also revisited the Ivorian crisis to which Mr Odinga was appointed as mediator. Mr Odinga asked the international Community to take a decisive action to resolve the post election impasse. The West African country has lately been plunged into a state of turmoil following fighting over the leadership after incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo declined to concede defeat and relinquish power to former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara.

At another function in his office, the PM challenged the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution to do everything within its powers to ensure the country does not go through the experiences of 2008 again.
Speaking when he received members of the CIC who presented the Quarterly Report, the PM said a number of the problems the country has experienced since 1992 elections are election related.
“You are on the driving. The people of Kenya have given you a mandate to ensure there is a level playing field, that the process to the next election is credible and respected. You have a duty to ensure we don’t experience what we did the last time,” the PM said.
CIC officials, led by chairman Mr Charles Nyachae, said the commission is determined to live to the expectations of Kenyans.