US vice president meets Kenya PM

Written By:Rosalia Omungo/AFP,    Posted: Wed, Apr 13, 2011

VP Joe Biden meets with Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Oding in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington. Photo by AP

The United States has lauded Kenya's efforts to introduce reforms.

US Vice President Joe Biden who held talks with Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the White house in Washington Tuesday, urged for more effort to ensure the implementation of the constitution.

A statement from the White house says during the meeting, Biden lauded the historic steps taken by the Kenyan people to bring change to their country in the wake of the 2007-2008 post-election violence, most notably the passage of a new constitution.

"In light of Kenya's critical role in advancing regional stability, the two leaders consulted on our ongoing cooperation to address security and humanitarian challenges in Somalia," the statement said.

The two also held talks that centred on change in Sudan and Somalia.

Biden said Kenya is strategically placed in the region, and thus plays a crucial role in the advancement of regional stability.

Biden and Odinga also discussed the need to reinvigorate efforts on Sudan, particularly on Abyei and Darfur, to secure a lasting peace.

The meeting is part of Raila's weeklong visit to the US.

In the trip, the premier also addressed an investment forum in which he urged business leaders from the developed countries to expand their horizons to Kenya to boost the economy.

He also met with former president US Clinton whom he briefed on the progress of the conservation on the Mau forest.