To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the effect of recent ethnic conflict in Kenya on (a) institutions, (b) social cohesion and (c) infrastructure in Kenya; and if he will make a statement. (192638)

The post-election crisis has had an adverse impact on the economy, social cohesion and public perception of certain institutions in Kenya. We support the recently signed National Accord and on-going reconciliation initiatives. In anticipation of a lasting political settlement that is seen to meet the will of the Kenyan people, donors have begun work on a needs assessment study to rebuild the country. So far, the Government have provided £2.5 million in humanitarian assistance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department has (a) offered and (b) provided to help resolve the situation in Kenya; what his most recent assessment of the political situation in Kenya is; and if he will make a statement. (192651)

The UK, together with Kenya’s other international partners, has strongly supported the mediation mission led by Kofi Annan to broker a power-sharing agreement between President Kibaki and Raila Odinga. We welcome the signing of an agreement by the two sides on 28 February. We consider that it provides a strong foundation on which to bring Kenya back to the path of prosperity, democracy and stability. The imperative is for Kenya’s leaders to implement the agreement in full and to build up a sense of national reconciliation. We look forward to working with the new coalition Government, once it has been formed.