When he received credentials from the incoming Chinese ambassador to Kenya, Deng Hongbo, President Kibaki noted that China has established a special relationship with Kenya.

    The president appreciated the development assistance the east African nation gets from China and expressed optimism that the cordial relations between the two countries will be enhanced for the benefit of the two countries.

    "We want to develop genuine mutual cooperation for the benefit of the people of our two countries," President Kibaki said, according to a statement issued by his office.

    In the meeting, the Chinese envoy said he looked forward to closer economic and technical cooperation in various fields.

    Meanwhile, President Kibaki also received credentials from incoming Ambassador of Slovakia to Kenya Milan Zachar and new Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Kenya Jayantha Dissanayake.

    Addressing the new envoys to Kenya, President Kibaki encouraged them to travel to all parts of the country and interact freely with Kenyans during their tour of duty so as to succeed in their assignments.

    Sri Lankan High Commissioner Dissanayake appreciated the significant contribution Kenya had made to bring peace, stability and prosperity in the East African region and Africa in general.

    New Slovak High Commissioner Zachar expressed appreciation that Kenya was among the first countries to recognize the Slovak Republic when it became a sovereign state in 1993, following the peaceful and negotiated split from the federation of Czech Slovakia.

    Zachar said Slovak maintained diplomatic relations with Kenya and two other countries in sub-Saharan Africa and was bracing for continued development cooperation.