Invest in a stable Kenya, urges PM
Prime Minister Raila Odinga during a meeting with Renaissance Capital CEO Preston Mendenhall (third right) and other international investors at the Intercontinental Hotel, London August 8, 2012. Mr Odinga asked the international business community to have faith in a stable Kenya. PMPS
Posted Wednesday, August 8 2012 at 17:07
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has asked the international business community to have faith in a stable Kenya.
He told investors to recognise change in Kenya since the post election violence saying there would be no recurrence of the chaos.
Mr Odinga told various companies led by the Renaissance Capital Group who met him in London that since the 2007/2008 violence, Kenya has undergone a painful but necessary rebirth.
“I know elections continue to elicit fear and anxiety that there may be a repeat of what happened in 2007-2008. I want to give an assurance that it will never happen again,” the PM told business leaders who met him at the Intercontinental Hotel.
The PM said the changes instituted in Kenya are the most in Africa and should ensure that all future elections are free and peaceful.
He said the changes will ensure that the justice system can be trusted to handle election-related disputes that may arise and also deal firmly with corruption and impunity.
The PM pointed at the new Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the Political Parties Act, the Leadership and Integrity Act, the restructuring and reform of the Judiciary and police reforms as some of the steps that will ensure future elections are free and fair.
“In 2008, we had no confidence in the Judiciary. We have worked to restore confidence by appointing a new Chief Justice and a new Attorney General. Old judges are being vetted and some are getting removed.
"The vetting in the Judiciary is real. It is not cosmetic. People have been sent home. There will be a stable Kenya after elections,” the PM said.
The business leaders from various sectors including energy, investment funds and infrastructure met Mr Odinga for a question and answer session during which they sought answers on areas ranging from dispute resolution, upcoming elections and upgrading of the country’s infrastructure, particularly the airports.
The PM said Kenya’s economy is upbeat, with inflation down to about seven per cent. He said the country’s real estate market is currently rated as the most vibrant in the world.
Mr Odinga is in London for the Olympics and is scheduled to meet Kenyan athletes later Wednesday and to visit the Kenya House where the country’s potential is on show.
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