The Kenyan government said Thursday it will always uphold the principal of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and will support the efforts by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union to restore peace in Somalia that is now experiencing upsurge in violent crisis.

Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka also urged the international community to urgently assist through peaceful means the people of Somalia in resolving the conflict and restore stability and hope in the war ravaged country.

The vice president, however, stated that Kenya will protect its national interest when under threat from any quarter to guarantee security for its citizens.

He said peace in neighboring Somalia is crucial for Kenya, appealing to leaders of the warring parties to take seriously the interest of that country before their own.

The vice president was speaking Thursday night when launching two publications of peace negotiations that followed the post-elections violence of 2007.

Musyoka said Kenya will not resort to military intervention in the ongoing conflicts in Somalia.

The two, Waters Edge: Mediation of Violent Electoral Conflict in Kenya and Mpatanishi: A Community based Mediation Handbook, by Peace and Development Network Trust (PeaceNet Kenya) are Authored by the renowned Nairobi University Professor Mukami Mwagiru.

PeaceNet Kenya is an umbrella organization of Non-Governmental Organizations, Community Based Organizations, religious organizations and individuals committed to encouraging peace building and promotion of justice and conflict resolution in Kenya.

Musyoka commended PeaceNet Kenya for the role it has played during the post- election violence, noting that it has brought together civil society organizations to address the crisis which resulted in the formation of Elections Violence Response Initiative.

He noted that the events of early last year in which over 1,000people were killed and thousands more wounded and displaced following the violent conflict that arose out of the 2007 and asked Kenyans to learn from such incidents and live harmoniously.

"I believe that Kenyans have learnt their bitter lesson and that they will not allow a repeat of that sad episode in our country's society," said Musyoka.

Musyoka urged Kenyans to shun hate speeches and instead cultivate peace and harmony, particularly by redirecting energies of the youth towards positive engagements.

He said the implementation of Agenda Four of the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation Act is on course and that soon the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission would be in place to help Kenyans in the healing process.

The Vice President at the same time revealed that a Land draft Policy that is part of Agenda four has been endorsed by the Cabinet thus paving way for the preparation of a Session Paper to be tabled in Parliament.

Musyoka expressed confidence that the Grand Coalition Government, the first one in Africa, would survive the entire term and would deliver services to Kenyans.

He urged Kenyans and development partners to support efforts by the government in addressing the many challenges facing the nation and ignore the negative publicity by the media.

"The Media should highlight more on matters affecting Kenyans including the challenges of the ravaging famine instead of misleading Kenyans and international community on the situation in the Grand Coalition", he added.

Musyoka noted that there are many challenges facing the coalition governments in the world and is not a preserve for Kenya alone.

Chief Executive of PeaceNet kenya Mutuku Nguli said the organization is involved in organizing peace negotiations at all spheres including at the community level to resolve differences that may trigger conflicts.

Mwagiru said the book that highlights on peace negotiation process of post election violence would help Kenya reconcile and avoid the repeat of the same in the future.

Source: Xinhua