The United States welcomes the publication of the new draft constitution by Kenya's Committee of Experts, currently in the midst of a public review process.

"I encourage all Kenyans to use the 30-day comment period to engage in a constructive and substantive dialogue on a new constitution," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a late Tuesday statement.

Kenya on November 17 unveiled a new draft constitution proposing that the president be the head of state only, and creating a post of prime minister who will be the head of government.

The draft is undergoing a 30-day review in which the public can make suggestions to the experts. The final draft will be put to a vote in a referendum in 2010.

The east African country now has a president who is both head of state and government, a source of intense election fighting that has repeatedly plunged Kenya into bloody clashes.

The review "is an opportunity for the Kenyan people to help determine the content of the constitution and come together to build a system of government that serves and protects the interests of all, regardless of political affiliation, ethnic group, or faith," Clinton said."This is also a time for President (Mwai) Kibaki and Prime Minister (Raila) Odinga to demonstrate their leadership and commitment to a peaceful future by working together to support a constitution that will serve the national interest for generations to come. I hope Parliament will act expeditiously, and with a sense of shared purpose, when the draft is formally presented to it," Clinton said.

She added that the United States "is committed to supporting the Kenyan people's efforts to implement their reform agenda.

"Development and ratification of a new constitution will provide a solid foundation for a more peaceful, prosperous, and democratic future," Clinton said.

Kenya's current prime minister is not the head of government; the position was created last year in a unity government put in place to end widespread post-election violence.

Under the draft, the president will be directly elected and will name a premier from the largest party or coalition of parties in parliament and who will be confirmed by parliament.

The draft law also proposes a decentralized government, introducing regional and county governments, sets limits on the size of the cabinet and introduces a senate.

 --Sapa--