Obama tells Kenyans to choose path of progress
Print Edition
US President Barack Obama told Kenyans yesterday that their country is at a crossroads and urged them to “choose the path to progress” by continuing to root out corruption, confront terrorism and be more inclusive of women and girls.
Closing out a historic visit to the land of his father’s birth, Obama said Kenya has come so far in just his lifetime, but can go even further.
“You can choose the path to progress, but it requires making some important choices,” he said in a speech to several thousand Kenyans packed into an indoor arena in Nairobi.
Thousands more Kenyans lined Obama’s motorcade route to the arena and his 40-minute speech was broadcast on TV.
Obama was introduced at the arena by Auma Obama, his sister on his father’s side of the family, who presented him to the audience as “my brother, your brother, our son.”
The president traced the history of Kenya’s evolution, from colonialism and isolation to independence and global engagement since it won independence from the British just over 50 years ago, in December 1963. But Obama said challenges remain. He urged Kenyans, particularly its future leaders, to deal with corruption and tribal conflict, create opportunity for all, improve education and health care, treat women better and confront the threat of terrorism.
“When it comes to the people of Kenya, particularly the youth, I believe there is no limit to what you can achieve,” he said. “Because of Kenya’s progress — because of your potential — you can build your future right here, right now.”
He also urged an end to old tribal and ethnic divisions that are “doomed to tear our country apart” and pressed for more tolerance and respect of women and girls, and end to a tradition known as “genital mutilation.”
“These traditions may date back centuries. They have no place in the 21st century,” he said.
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