USA President Barack Obama’s three-day whirlwind tour of Kenya is over! Presiding over a busy and, perhaps, punishing schedule, he attended and addressed conferences and meetings with various groups – attended banquets, before finally crowning his visit with a powerful speech from Safaricom Stadium Kasarani.
During the course of his visit, mega deals were cut and clinched at the Global Entrepreneurship Forum, important contacts made between investors and entrepreneurs, and hordes of Kenyans were deeply inspired by a truly remarkable and extraordinary human being. A man from a simple, at times complicated background, he displayed unusual humility in the course of his tour thus touching the hearts of many Kenyans as he encouraged them to be the best that they can be.
A powerful orator and inspirational speaker, he awed many with his simplicity of language and clarity of thought and purpose, whilst displaying an intimate knowledge and understanding of Kenya. His electrifying speech at the Kasarani Auditorium was particularly memorable as he expounded on the four pillars he felt were cardinal for Kenyans to dwell upon urgently in order to propel the country forward. They included eradication of corruption, combating terrorism, ending negative ethnicity, and the repression of women including the scourge of female genital mutilation – an outdated rite that has no place in present-day Kenya.
At every stage of his deliberations, save for the meeting with the opposition parties and civil society organisations, he was accompanied by his ever gracious host President Uhuru Kenyatta, at times making joint addresses and attending question-and-answer sessions. One could not miss out on the body language, incredible rapport and camaraderie between the two leaders. They were at ease in each others company with plenty of laughter and backslapping. Even when addressing sensitive issues such Lesbian Gay rights, the two leaders managed to 'agree to disagree' with an exceptional dignity and civility, thus defusing what had earlier been considered as a potential source of conflict.
If there was ever a visiting leader who brought hope to Kenyans, then Barack Obama takes the icing on the cake! Mirroring and modeling on his “Yes we can” motto, he encouraged us by declaring the sky was the limit – with himself as an example of an individual who rose through determination and sheer grit to the most powerful office on planet earth.
President Uhuru Kenyatta did not disappoint either. He faithfully and intelligently answered all questions directed at him displaying a rare versatility in thought process and capability to think swiftly on his feet. The two leaders complemented one another admirably. Anyone who had imagined or entertained second thoughts about Uhuru’s leadership abilities had better think again! He leaves no doubt he is the best man for the job!
President Barack Obama gave Uhuru Kenyatta his personal vote of confidence when addressing national opposition leaders after they attempted to disparage their President. He told them in no uncertain terms Uhuru was their constitutionally elected President, and the USA was going to work closely with him. He further admonished them that the responsibility to combat corruption was theirs equally. As a parting shot he informed them terrorism was an international problem, and he was proud of, and owed a debt to our courageous Amisom troops in Somalia. The USA and Kenya are soon to launch joint counterterrorism programmes.
Finally he lambasted them on their hypocrisy, as some of those screaming loudest for the USA to issue sanctions against the Kenya government had previously requested the US government to mind its own business, whenever they tried to intercede in the former government in which the four opposition leaders were senior officials.
President Obama in his response to opposition leaders wittingly or unwittingly pulled away the campaign platform from under their feet, as they were banking on corruption and insecurity as their pre-election selling points! They have been dealt a fatal blow. In so doing, he may have settled the issue of the 2017 Presidential election as “Christmas appears to have come early” for Uhuru Kenyatta. Without an agenda, the opposition goose is cooked!
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/obama-blasts-opposition-leaders-their-hypocrisy#sthash.VPWSTMpQ.dpuf
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