Obama trip to Africa was good for kinship but bad for democracy

Barack Obama in Kenya

Kenya: Kenya has been waiting for Obama to visit with barely bated breath for the last 6 years since he became President of the United States of America and, therefore, the most powerful person on earth. Kenyans were waiting for him because, in his own words, he is the first ‘Kenyan-American’ to become President of the US. Many Africans also feel a kinship with Obama being a son of a Kenyan father. Kenya and Africa therefore expected him to be, as he stated in an interview with the BBC on the eve of this trip, ‘blunt and candid’ by praising Governments and people where they had done well, and pointing out where improvements were needed. By and large, Obama did not disappoint in this expected mission.

He was full of praise for young people and entrepreneurs for being smart and innovative in solving problems and making money. He praised Government policies that were encouraging business, developing infrastructure and fighting terrorism. He vociferously spoke against corruption in the Government and called for ‘visible’ prosecution and lifestyle audits of people in high places who are stealing from Kenyans asserting that ‘people are not stupid’ and can see the theft that is going on. He advocated for equal treatment for minorities like gay people. His most eloquent speech was at Kasarani in Nairobi where he made a powerful pitch for creating equal opportunities for women so that Kenya and Africa can make progress.