Britain has invited Kenya's new president to London next week in what will be the first trip outside Africa for the leader who is facing an international trial for crimes against humanity, officials said Friday. The invitation for Uhuru Kenyatta to attend a conference on Somalia in London on Tuesday -- co-hosted by both Britain and Somalia -- marks a notable shift in attitude by Britain. London, like the rest of the European Union and other Western powers, has a policy of only "essential contact" with anyone charged by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Kenyan deputy president William Ruto has asked for the start of his trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to be delayed to allow his legal team more time to prepare, his lawyer said on Friday. Judges have yet to rule on the request, but previously they have granted delays in other trials relating to post-election violence in Kenya just over five years ago. Ruto stands accused of orchestrating the violence, alongside Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Kenya's newly elected President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday named his new ministers of foreign affairs and finance, in a cabinet that will number 18 ministries, down from 44 previously. Kenyatta appointed Henry K. Rotich, a technocrat who has spent his whole career at the finance ministry and the central bank, as finance minister. Amina Mohamed is to become foreign minister.

Kenya's new President Uhuru Kenyatta held a series of meetings with regional leaders and envoys on his first day in the capital Nairobi to seek cooperation, especially foreign investments in the East Africa nation. During his meeting with Chinese National People's Congress Vice-Chairman Zhang Baowen on Wednesday, Kenyatta invited more Chinese investors to the country, assuring them that Kenya has a highly skilled human resource base that can be exploited to facilitate trade between the two countries. "President Kenyatta further said his government is keen on increasing the flow