Obama acknowledges Kenya’s progress;affirms the vital role of youths

Former US president Barack Obama has said real progress in the country will be achieved after notable challenges like corruption are dealt with. Speaking at the launch of the Sauti Kuu foundation in K’Ogelo, Siaya County on Monday, Obama acknowledged that Kenya has made extraordinary strides so far, saying the problems his father and grandfather faced can’t be faced by young Kenyans anymore, “Real progress has been seen in this amazing country. Kenya has a new constitution and a new spirit of investment and entrepreneurship,” he said, adding that despite the tumultuous times that attend every election, leaders have pledged to build bridges and have made commitments to work together.

However, he noted that more progress depends on addressing the challenges that remain including rooting out corruption and living in unity as different ethnicities, ” Seeing tribes and diversity not as a weakness but as a strength.” He added that economic growth should reach everyone and should be shared across all regions and that the education opportunities should be available to all, “A nation that gives our daughters the same opportunities as our sons is more likely to succeed,” said Obama.

He lauded the Sauti Kuu Foundation, and the opportunities it will give to young people in the region and the country at large. The sports, resource, and vocational training centre has a computer lab, a vocational centre, football pitch, basketball court, library among other features. He said the centre will allow young people to build their livelihoods and will allow them to be job creators then give opportunities to others that follow.

Obama said if given the platform, young people in Kenya and generally in Africa will learn their voices can change the world. “We’ve seen it happen before. Their voices will determine whether top leaders are accountable or not, whether Kenya comes together despite tribes and ethnicity,” he said. Obama, who is in the country on a two-day visit, landed at JKIA on Sunday an is set to head to South Africa afterwards where he is expected to deliver a keynote address at the 16th annual Nelson Mandela lecture in Johannesburg.