Kenyan MPs pay glowing tribute to President Barack Obama

US President Barack Obama with African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma during a meeting at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday. [PHOTO: AFP]

NAIROBI: Majority Leader Aden Duale (Garissa Township) Tuesday led members of the National Assembly in celebrating the just-concluded visit by US President Barack Obama, which he termed a big win for Kenya and Africa.

The MPs called Obama’s trip a “proud moment” and the “finest moment in history” for Kenya, because it was the first time a sitting US president visited Kenya.

Duale’s glowing praise for Obama came just weeks after the MP had asked the US president not to speak about gay rights during his trip. The presiding Speaker Tom Kajwang’ smiled and said: “I get inspiration that you must have been baptised by St Obama. That was very good to hear.”

Although Obama spoke about gay rights in a debate with President Uhuru Kenyatta, in his contribution before the House, Duale did not mention the subject.

Instead, the Majority Leader focused on the content of the speech that President Obama made at the Safaricom Indoor Arena at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday calling for good governance, anti-corruption, freedoms, equality and an end to tribalism.

“The visit by President Obama has changed the narrative; the message is that Africa is on the move, Kenya is on the move and he has confirmed that Kenya is a regional hub,” said Duale.

The Deputy Majority Leader Naomi Shaban said Obama’s three-day trip was “a vote of confidence on the Jubilee government in terms of the work that has already been done”.

Though there is a semblance of heat in the political circles over Obama’s decision to call out the Opposition leaders on their hypocrisy and double-speak, the Minority Leader Francis Nyenze heaved a sigh of relief when the ruling coalition members spoke without reference to this.

“(Duale) has not attacked our leaders, and we’ll not attack his leaders...Obama proved that he is an icon. Let this visit unite us, let us not fight each other, let us work together and move forward,” said Nyenze.

Ken Obura (Kisumu Central), Denitah Ghati (Migori) and Johanna Ngeno (Emurua Dikirr) were among the MPs who spoke in praise of Obama’s speech.

Obura said the ideas Obama shared should give the country perspective ahead of the next General Election. For Ghati, there was a need for “seriousness” in the debate about inclusivity in the country.

Ndung’u Gethenji (Tetu) said: “Kenya’s time in the sun has officially come.”