Branson praises Raila

Sir Richard Branson, the English business magnate best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies, has praised Prime Minister Raila Odinga saying he has the possibilities of becoming the new Nelson Mandela of Africa.

After his visit to Kenya last week, the flamboyant business guru wrote on his blog: "I felt the Prime Minister of Kenya, from everything I have heard, is an exceptional person and has the possibilities of becoming the new Nelson Mandela of Africa."

"I was asked a question about corruption and urged the press and the people to keep their governments honest…We then went out to the bush to meet the Massai," the blog update titled Wonderful 24-hours in Kenya read.

The billionaire businessman sat in a car for two hours on Thursday, ensnared in Nairobi’s maddening traffic while trying to reach a conference where business leaders discussed the barriers to commercial success in Africa.