New Planning minister Wycliffe Oparanya has asked the country's development partners to cancel debts to assist in reconstruction after the January violence.

He said 30 per cent of Kenya's budget was used to service debts.

Mr Oparanya argued that, if the debts were cancelled, the country would not need donor cash to resettle internal refugees.

"I would like to discuss with the minister of Finance so that we can push for that agenda. Instead of donations at this moment, I would prefer cancellation of debts. We can then finance the other developments ourselves," he said.

The minister, who was taking over office from his predecessor, Mr Henry Obwocha, promised to involve more women in development,

He pledged to appoint more women to the Constituency Development Fund National Management Board.

Important step

Mr Oparanya described a decision to house CDF at his office as an important step, noting that the ministry's district development officers had been instrumental in the implementation of projects.

He was also upbeat about the ministry's preparedness to undertake the national population census next year likely to cost about Sh7 billion.

While taking cognisance of the effects of the mayhem on the economy, the minister expressed determination to pursue further growth.

However, Mr Obwocha warned of slow growth rate this year and asked Mr Oparanya to build on gains made in the past few years.

"We developed Vision 2030 and were able to undertake the African Peer Review Mechanism of the New Partnership for Africa's Development. I am confident Kenya will transform to an industrialised country," said Mr Obwocha.