Kibaki: We must finish our mission in Somalia

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 7 – President Mwai Kibaki has reaffirmed the government’s resolve in dealing with the militant group based inside Somalia that has sought to destabilise not just Kenya but the entire Horn of Africa region.

President Kibaki pointed out that the transformation of the African continent will only be achieved through a secure and peaceful environment, adding that Kenya has taken a stand for peace and stability in the region and will not waver in that endeavour.

“This is the only way that we can develop our continent and implement infrastructure projects that are cross border in nature,” President Kibaki said.

The Head of State was speaking on Monday at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre where he officially opened the first ever Africa Congress of Accountants.

President Kibaki emphasised that a lasting solution to the long standing instability in Somalia is not only good for the Horn of Africa region but the entire African continent.

The President said Kenya intends to complete the work and operation that has begun inside Somalia in order to create a strong foundation for the continent’s prosperity.

President Kibaki, at the same time, said Kenya was privileged to have been accorded the honour of hosting the first ever Africa Congress of Accountants which has come soon after the inauguration of the Pan African Federation of Accountants.

“This is an expression of the confidence you have in our country and more specifically in the local accountancy profession led by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya,” President Kibaki said.

The President particularly welcomed the congress noting that it will discuss infrastructure and how it relates to the accounting profession, an issue that has taken the centre stage in Kenya’s development agenda.

Underscoring the importance of infrastructure development in Africa’s economic progress, President Kibaki said its role in the transformation of the continent will be more effective if it is undertaken in a coordinated manner in the context of regional integration.

“World class regional road, telecommunication and rail networks; modernised port facilities and investments in effective power pooling arrangements have the potential to completely change the economic and social landscape of Africa,” President Kibaki said.

The President, however, observed that while Africa has made substantial progress in infrastructure development, there is much more that needs to be done as the continent continues to face a huge financing gap largely because of its inability to mobilise sufficient domestic resources to finance the required investments.
Capital FM news