Africa is No Longer a Continent Which Begs for Aid, Uhuru
July 26, 2015
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation
By PSCU
United States President Barack Obama has given Africa hope that through personal initiative and hard work one can take control of their destiny.
Speaking last evening when he hosted a state banquet in honour of the visiting United States leader, President Uhuru Kenyatta said Africa is no longer a continent which begs for aid but rather which seeks support and empowerment to achieve economic prosperity.
“Many have said President Obama has not done much for Africa. I tend to disagree with that statement because enough is not about how much you put on the table that is not the issue,” said the President.
The President noted that President Obama is an engine that will propel and transform Africa through his initiatives which are empowering the people of this continent
President Kenyatta said through his policies, President Obama has given Africa tools to transform not just the continent but the world.
“I don’t think there could be a bigger gift than that,” the President said.
The State banquet which was held at State House Nairobi was a culmination of a fruitful day for the two leaders who opened the 6th Global Entrepreneurship Summit and held bilateral talks on a number of key issues such as insecurity, investment, trade and deepening of relations between the two countries.
President Kenyatta recalled the historical ties between Kenya and the United States saying the two countries cherished freedom which they made great sacrifices for to secure it for posterity.
“Our paths have not been easy. We have not realised these values in full measure. But our record has been one of steady progress. Indeed, Kenya has been inspired by the immense accomplishments of the United States in its 239 years of independence,” said the President.
The President noted that America has been a true friend having supported Kenya to achieve its desired aspirations.
The President recalled efforts by Kenyan and American leaders in their quest to achieve their citizen’s political and economic freedom.
“In 1959, our national hero Tom Mboya shared a stage with Martin Luther King Jr. He said that Africans, and the Americans of the civil rights movement, were united in a common search for political freedom,” said President Kenyatta.
Adding: “He would join hands with Senator John F. Kennedy, American philanthropists and activists such as Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier, to bring hundreds of young Kenyans to America’s universities.”
President Kenyatta said what pioneer leaders had in mind was an initiative aimed at preparing a group of educated and committed Kenyans who would complete the transition from colonial domination to self-government.
The President affirmed America’s great generosity in aiding Kenya’s development efforts and its desire to achieve democratic aspirations.
He noted that relations between the two countries have been steady for half a century and that by deepening them it is possible to secure this region.
“We can secure democracy; and we can bring our entrepreneurs and investors together for our common prosperity. I look forward to continuing our conversation in the coming weeks and months,” President Kenyatta pointed out.
The President challenged Kenyans to learn that they would accomplish much more in terms of development if they avoided unnecessary differences amongst them.
President Obama said the approval of the extension of Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by US congressmen was a demonstration of the American people desire to expand trade and investment opportunities besides deepening relations between Africa and America.
“We were able to get the AGOA Bill passed and those who know American politics, there too many things where Republicans and Democrats agree these days. But deepening our relations with Africa is something guided by partisan support and it is an indication how American people feel,” said President Obama
President Obama expressed his gratitude to President Kenyatta and the people of Kenya for the warm reception accorded to him and his delegation.
Others who attended the banquet were the Deputy President William Ruto, Cabinet Secretaries, former President Mwai Kibaki, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Mama Sarah Obama, diplomats and other senior government officials.
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation
By PSCU
United States President Barack Obama has given Africa hope that through personal initiative and hard work one can take control of their destiny.
Speaking last evening when he hosted a state banquet in honour of the visiting United States leader, President Uhuru Kenyatta said Africa is no longer a continent which begs for aid but rather which seeks support and empowerment to achieve economic prosperity.
“Many have said President Obama has not done much for Africa. I tend to disagree with that statement because enough is not about how much you put on the table that is not the issue,” said the President.
The President noted that President Obama is an engine that will propel and transform Africa through his initiatives which are empowering the people of this continent
President Kenyatta said through his policies, President Obama has given Africa tools to transform not just the continent but the world.
“I don’t think there could be a bigger gift than that,” the President said.
The State banquet which was held at State House Nairobi was a culmination of a fruitful day for the two leaders who opened the 6th Global Entrepreneurship Summit and held bilateral talks on a number of key issues such as insecurity, investment, trade and deepening of relations between the two countries.
President Kenyatta recalled the historical ties between Kenya and the United States saying the two countries cherished freedom which they made great sacrifices for to secure it for posterity.
“Our paths have not been easy. We have not realised these values in full measure. But our record has been one of steady progress. Indeed, Kenya has been inspired by the immense accomplishments of the United States in its 239 years of independence,” said the President.
The President noted that America has been a true friend having supported Kenya to achieve its desired aspirations.
The President recalled efforts by Kenyan and American leaders in their quest to achieve their citizen’s political and economic freedom.
“In 1959, our national hero Tom Mboya shared a stage with Martin Luther King Jr. He said that Africans, and the Americans of the civil rights movement, were united in a common search for political freedom,” said President Kenyatta.
Adding: “He would join hands with Senator John F. Kennedy, American philanthropists and activists such as Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier, to bring hundreds of young Kenyans to America’s universities.”
President Kenyatta said what pioneer leaders had in mind was an initiative aimed at preparing a group of educated and committed Kenyans who would complete the transition from colonial domination to self-government.
The President affirmed America’s great generosity in aiding Kenya’s development efforts and its desire to achieve democratic aspirations.
He noted that relations between the two countries have been steady for half a century and that by deepening them it is possible to secure this region.
“We can secure democracy; and we can bring our entrepreneurs and investors together for our common prosperity. I look forward to continuing our conversation in the coming weeks and months,” President Kenyatta pointed out.
The President challenged Kenyans to learn that they would accomplish much more in terms of development if they avoided unnecessary differences amongst them.
President Obama said the approval of the extension of Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by US congressmen was a demonstration of the American people desire to expand trade and investment opportunities besides deepening relations between Africa and America.
“We were able to get the AGOA Bill passed and those who know American politics, there too many things where Republicans and Democrats agree these days. But deepening our relations with Africa is something guided by partisan support and it is an indication how American people feel,” said President Obama
President Obama expressed his gratitude to President Kenyatta and the people of Kenya for the warm reception accorded to him and his delegation.
Others who attended the banquet were the Deputy President William Ruto, Cabinet Secretaries, former President Mwai Kibaki, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Mama Sarah Obama, diplomats and other senior government officials.
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