Nairobi — Prime Minister Raila Odinga leaves on Sunday for an official working trip to the United States.

Mr Odinga will be accompanied by US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka also leaves today for Benin to attend a Sahel-Sahara Heads of State meeting which starts tomorrow. The three-day conference brings together 25 countries to fight desertification.

Kenya has been an observer nation but will be admitted as a member. The VP will be accompanied by Minister for Development of Northern Kenya, Mr Elmi Ahmed, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Richard Onyonka, Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Dr Thuita Mwangi, Home Affairs PS Dr Ludeki Chweya and Finance PS Mr Joseph Kinyua.

Mr Odinga will be on a three-day visit during which he will brief senior US Government officials and business leaders on how Kenyans have restored stability and are now moving the economy forward under Africa's first-ever grand coalition government.

Mr Odinga will sign two new bilateral agreements concerning an aviation Open Skies accord and the Peace Corps.

The Prime Minister will also convey the Kenya Government's gratitude to the United States for the role it played in finding a formula for restoring peace in the country following the break out of violence as a result of disputed presidential election results.

Also to be discussed will be a host of bilateral issues, including trade, investment, security, infrastructure and governance.

Highlights of the visit include a meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Mr Steve Hadley, National Security Adviser to President George Bush, at the White House.