President Mwai Kibaki of the Republic of Kenya, speaks during the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly September 26, 2012 at UN headquarters in New York. PHOTO/Stan HONDA/ AFP

President Kibaki has declared that Kenya is full of hope for a bright future.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, he called on warring parties in the world to lay down arms.
During the past decade, he told world leaders, “our country has enjoyed a sustained blossoming of democracy.”
The President cited implementation of a new Constitution and victories over HIV/Aids and malaria.
He further said hundreds of thousands of children were enrolled in school while many adults have acquired life skills through job training.
“We have pulled hundreds of thousands of Kenyans out of poverty and put them on a pathway to economic independence and self-reliance,” President Kibaki declared.
“However, as all Kenyans recognise, we still have a lot more work to do,” he said, adding:
“Poverty, disease and unemployment still remain big challenges,” he pointed out in his 18-minute address.
President Kibaki painted an optimistic picture of the prospects for peace in neighbouring countries.He said that acting in concert with the African Union, Kenya has helped bring about “the progressive liberation of large areas of Somalia from Al-Shabaab.” (READ: Fresh hope for Somalia after election)As a result of recent political as well as military gains in Somalia, Kenya hopes to work with the international community in ``facilitating the return of Somali refugees to these areas`` Mr Kibaki said.