Kenya leader promises graft fight

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Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki has opened parliament promising to fight
against corruption that has dogged his fractured coalition government.

During the parliament's five-month recess, Mr Kibaki lost seven cabinet
ministers to the opposition and another three over a corruption scandal.

He also cautioned the press against publishing falsehoods.

Many Kenyans were shocked by the recent and unprecedented police raid on
a national newspaper and TV station.

Fighting mood

Our correspondent says the parliament's re-opening comes at one of the
most turbulent times for President Kibaki's administration.

Kenya is experiencing the worst drought in a decade and the government
is facing corruption allegations and extraordinary claims that foreign
mercenaries have been brought in to intimidate the media.

Opposition MPs are expected to make political capital out of the
government's woes, she says.

In particular recent allegations claiming some of President Kibaki's
inner circle was involved in a multi-million pound scam - known as the
Anglo Leasing affair - revealed by the former anti-corruption chief,
John Githongo, who is now in exile in the UK.

Yet Mr Kibaki was in a fighting mood during his opening speech.

He said a record number of people were being investigated over
corruption allegations and warned that the war against graft would be
fought in all directions.

"Those who seek to politicise the fight against corruption should know
that it is not words that will eradicate the vice, but firm and
determined actions such as we are taking," he said.

"For those who may be tempted to test our resolve, let them be warned
that the institutions we have put in place are alert and will spare
no-one."

Our reporter says this is a clear message to his opponents that some
within their ranks are also suspected of having murky pasts.

These issues threaten to squeeze out any other parliamentary business
and with a general election on the horizon, the signs are that
campaigning has already begun, she says.