Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki saidon Thursday that the ruling coalition government is committed to deepening its relations with the people and government of the United States.

Speaking in an interview that will be used on a promotional video of Kenya in the United States, President Kibaki said Kenyansare proud of American President Barrack Obama who traces his roots to Kenya.

"We see this special connection as a unique opportunity for us to strengthen the ties of friendship between the peoples of our two countries," President Kibaki said, according to a news release from his office.

The president also said his government is currently in the process of entrenching reforms in the country, top among them being the constitutional review process.

He expressed confidence that direct air links between Kenya andthe United States will boost relations between the two countries and welcomed American investors and tourists to the east African nation.

Kibaki pointed out that the government views the constitutional review process as a unique opportunity to come up with a document that reflects the nation's modern day challenges and opportunities.

"The process has begun and I am confident that we will have a new constitution in the coming months," the Kenyan leader who together with Prime Minister Raila Odinga agreed to share power after the disputed presidential elections early in 2008.

President Kibaki said his government has also unveiled the country's national development blueprint Vision 2030 that is geared towards transforming Kenya into a medium income country within the next 20 years.

"Under this plan we envision a nation with a vibrant economy with its citizens at peace and enjoying high standards of living. We envision a politically stable nation where democracy is entrenched with its citizens enjoying social equity," he said.

The President said the government is undertaking reforms because of the great faith it has in its people, adding that Kenyais endowed with competent and talented human resources to support any form of investment in the country.

President Kibaki observed that Kenya is also the preferred investment destination due to its strategic location as the gateway to both the East African Community and the COMESA region.

Source: Xinhua