President Mwai Kibaki has assured Kenyans and the international community that the Government has made tremendous progress in the implementation of Agenda 4 of the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation Accord.

The President was speaking at his Harambee House office during a meeting with United States Congressmen led by the House Democracy Assistance Commission Chairman         David Price who paid him a courtesy call.

During the talks, President Kibaki briefed the commission on the various reforms being undertaken by the Government to improve on governance and efficiency in public institutions in the country.

Under constitutional reforms, President Kibaki said the Draft Constitution which was adopted by Parliament in April and published by the Attorney General will be subjected to a referendum on August 4^th this year.

The Head of State observed that the police, judiciary and the electoral commission are among other institutions targeted for reforms by the Grand Coalition Government.

President Kibaki noted that formulation of a National Land policy whose key elements have been incorporated in the Draft Constitution has been completed and a sessional paper ready for discussion in parliament.

The President said the Government has put in place the necessary mechanisms to ensure harmonious co-existence of the various ethnic communities in the country.

“The Coalition Government is promoting equality of opportunity, good relations, harmony and peaceful co-existence between persons of different ethnic and racial communities through the National Cohesion and Integration Commission”, President Kibaki said.

On the security situation in the horn of Africa, the Head of State urged the US government and the international community to consider providing technical and financial support to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia to deal with extremist insurgency and stabilize the country.

President Kibaki emphasized that the deteriorating situation in Somalia remains a key security threat to not only Kenya but had graduated to a global challenge.

On the bilateral relations, the President said Kenya and America enjoyed cordial and broad-based relations characterized by long standing partnerships and cooperation in several areas of mutual interest.

He thanked America for continued material and financial support to development and humanitarian programmes in the country.

The US House Democracy Assistance Commission works with partner legislatures in 15 countries including Kenya.

Meanwhile, President Kibaki met Bharti Airltel Chief Executive Officer Mr. Manoj Kohil who paid him a courtesy call.

Bharti Airtel, a mobile operator acquired Zain African business last month.

President Kibaki pledged the Government’s total support to the mobile operator in its plans to establish the Africa Head office in Kenya.

The Head of State welcomed the changeover which be observed is a pioneering step towards strengthening of ties between India and Kenya.

The talks were attended by Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Constitutional Affairs Minister Mutula Kilonzo, Information and Communications Assistant Minister George Khaniri, Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura and Information PS Dr Bitange Ndemo among others.