Pope Francis urges Kenyan leaders to observe transparency

Nairobi, Kenya: Pope Francis urged Kenya's leaders on Wednesday to work with "transparency" to ensure a fair distribution of national resources as criticism grows over runaway graft in the country.

"I encourage you to work with integrity and transparency for the common good, and to foster a spirit of solidarity at every level of society," Pope Francis said after arriving in the capital Nairobi at the start of a three-nation tour.

The Pope also emphasized the need to address poverty as a key driver of conflict, as he kicked off a landmark three-nation Africa trip.

"Experience shows that violence, conflict and terrorism feed on fear, mistrust, and the despair born of poverty and frustration," Francis told leaders in Kenya.

"Ultimately, the struggle against these enemies of peace and prosperity must be carried on by men and women who fearlessly believe in, and bear honest witness to, the great spiritual and political values which inspired the birth of the nation," he said.