Washington, Rabi'II 20, 1434, Mar 2, 2013, SPA - The United States said Friday its government assistance in Kenya supports free, fair, and peaceful elections in the East African country. “Kenya’s stability is crucial to the security and economic prospects of its neighbors. The success of Kenya’s upcoming presidential, parliamentary, and local elections depends greatly upon the degree to which the country has reformed and strengthened its democratic institutions, increased transparency and accountability, and deepened respect for the rule of law and human rights,” the State Department said in a statement. “The United States has focused significant diplomatic and programmatic effort, particularly in the time since the December 2007 post-election violence, to support Kenya’s ambitious reform agenda, the centerpiece of which is a new, progressive constitution, which was adopted in 2010,” the statement added. “Since 2010, the U.S. government has contributed more than $35 million to support electoral reform, civic education, and elections preparation in Kenya,” the statement said. “Since 2008, the United States have provided more than $90 million to support constitutional reform, conflict mitigation, civil society strengthening, and youth leadership and empowerment, all of which contribute significantly to the goal of free, fair, and peaceful elections in Kenya,” the statement added. --SPA 11:05 LOCAL TIME 08:05 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1083273