afrol News, 28 May - President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya admitted that his country has learned good lesson from the post-electoral violence, promising to shift attention on economic improvement.

"As a country we have learned our lessons," Kibaki told the Japan-Africa conference, praising the international community for supporting Kenya as it battled months of fatal crisis.

"Today we have in place a grand coalition government and I have no doubt that through our unity of purpose, we will be able to implement a broad reform agenda that will position our country on a path of rapid economic development," Kibaki said.

"At the same time, we are committed to ensuring greater political stability and social equity."

A dispute over presidential results in Kenya last December soon snowballed into "ethnic cleansing", resulting to the death of 1,500 people and displacement of tens of thousand others.

But the crisis was resolved by the creation of a power-sharing agreement brokered by former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. Under the deal, a grand coalition was formed, with the leader of opposition Orange Democratic Movement Raila Odinga becoming Prime Minister.

President Kibaki said African countries are still facing major challenges, despite high growth rate in most countries in the continent. He said there is need for African leaders and Japan to brainstorm on the issue.

"We need to pay all our attention to the fight against HIV/Aids, TB (tuberculosis) and malaria, while also re-energising our joint efforts more on enhancing good governance and peace and security."

By staff writer

© afrol News

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