Nairobi — Mediator Kofi Annan has said Kenya is making progress on reforms but there is still more to be done.

He said that the publishing of the harmonised draft constitution and the adoption by the National Assembly of the Sessional Paper on Land Reform were major achievements.

"We believe these developments reflect fresh momentum in the reform process. The progress that we are seeing is an encouraging indication of what Kenya can achieve, said Mr Annan at the end of his Kenya visit.

He encouraged "all Kenyans to engage in the urgent review of this important document. Kenya needs a constitution that is workable and effective, and that can stand the test of time."

Mr Annan said that he and Panel member Graça Machel had held a series of meetings with individuals and organisations involved in Kenya's reform process.

"It has been a busy and fruitful visit," said Mr Annan at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi.

But the former UN secretary general said more needs to be done.

"In some areas the reforms are moving too slowly. We urge greater speed of action, particularly as the time for reform is shrinking. In our judgment, it will close as early as late 2010 when the next round of electioneering begins in earnest."

He said that they were "concerned by the increasing ethnic divisions and lack of cohesion within government and across Kenyan Society," saying that they "undermine efforts to promote national healing and reconciliation."

The Panel members also said failure to establish a local tribunal to try post election violence suspects was a matter of concern.

He said that the government should also address issues on environmental degradation, food insecurity, unemployment especially among the youth and judicial reform.

"Reforms must be deep-rooted, not superficial, in order to build the firm foundations on which Kenya's continued stability and prosperity depend," said Mr Annan.

And he urged Kenyans to take charge of the process and in turn determine their destiny.

"This is an important time in Kenya's history, one in which all Kenyans must take a clear stand and play their part.

"We urge Kenyans to work together - with determination, sobriety and resolve - so that the crisis experienced last year will never reoccur.

"All Kenyans - politicians, religious and business leaders, members of civil society and the media, and the wananchi (citizens) must think of themselves as Kenyans first and pull together to ensure that the essential reforms are achieved and sustained," he said.

He, however, lauded government efforts to realise key reforms adding that they were particularly pleased with President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga's assurance that the government will cooperate with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno-Ocampo.

They also said they had been advised that the government is taking action on the recommendations of the National Task Force on Police Reforms and in turn urged it to "transform the Kenya Police Force into a highly professional service that will protect and serve all Kenyans fairly."

During his visit, Mr Annan and Mrs Machel met the President and the Prime Minister; the Speaker of the National Assembly; the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Review of the Constitution; the Parliamentary Caucus on Reforms; and a number of other MPs and Ministers.

The Panel members also met the Dialogue Team; the Committee of Experts on the Constitution; the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission; the National Cohesion and Integration Commission; and the Chairpersons of the Interim Independent Electoral Commission and the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission.

And they left the country with a message to Kenyans.

"You can count on the full support of the Panel and the international community in doing this."