President Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Kenya on Friday, returning to the home of his ancestors to address economic development, counter-terrorism and human rights.
“This is personal for me,” Mr. Obama said, speaking at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit on Saturday. “There’s a reason why my name’s Barack Hussein Obama.”
The president went on to announce more than $1 billion in new commitments from the U.S. government, American banks, foundations and philanthropists. He also presented his vision for further investment and entrepreneurship in Kenya.
“Entrepreneurship offers a positive alternative to the ideologies of violence and division that can all too often fill the void when young people don’t see a future for themselves,” Mr. Obama said.
Half of the money will go to support women and young people, who Mr. Obama says face bigger challenges when trying to start a business.
“If half of your team is not playing, you’ve got a problem,” Mr. Obama said.
He heralded Africa as a continent “on the move” and touted Africa’s swift economic upturn.
“Africa is one of the fastest growing regions in the world. People are being lifted out of poverty,” Mr. Obama said.
Mr. Obama has traveled to Kenya before to visit his relatives, but this visit was his first as President. Mr. Obama arrived late Friday and spent the night reuniting with his father’s family.
Security forces blanketed the city of Nairobi in anticipation of Mr. Obama’s visit to a nation that views him as a local son. Many normally bustling streets were closed to traffic.
Mr. Obama traveled with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who co-hosted the summit, to Kenya’s State House later Saturday to discuss plans for economic and security progress in the region.
Mr. Obama told Mr. Kenyatta that the U.S. wants to partner with Africa “not out of charity, but because we see opportunity.”
Mr. Obama also toured an innovation fair highlighting the work of vendors with his Power Africa initiative, and placed a wreath at the site of the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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