When US president Barack Obama took the reign of power in the world’s most powerful country a few years ago, Kenyans were quite excited and they thought that the president who traces his roots to Kenya would soon visit the country as president.
This however did not happen and Obama even visited neighbouring
Tanzania while bypassing Kenya to the chagrin of Kenyans. However, in a surprise move the president is set to visit Kenya in July to attend the 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Summit after the Kenyan government agreed to co-host it.
In a statement his press secretary Josh Ernest said: President Obama will travel to Kenya in July, where he will hold bilateral meetings and participate in the GES. His trip will build on the success of the August 2014 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and continue our efforts to work with countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, to accelerate economic growth, strengthen democratic institutions, and improve security.”
This will be President Obama’s fourth trip to sub-Saharan Africa during his presidency.
Organized annually since 2009, the GES has emerged as a global platform connecting emerging entrepreneurs with leaders from business, international organizations, and governments looking to support them. This will be the first time the GES will take place in sub-Saharan Africa.